New regional drug treatment facility supported by settlement with drug makers

Chelan, Douglas and Grant counties have committed up to $250,000 each from funds given to local governments by opioid drug manufacturers as part of the National Settlement Agreement that's dispersing nearly $50 billion across the country.

Opioid abatement funds will go towards the construction of a new regional drug addiction treatment facility.

"What this funding is for is the next scope of work," said Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay. "We've been working on this for five years as a multi-county project. What that is is an inpatient facility for not only diversion folks out of the jail, but for folks that either need to voluntarily commit or be involuntarily committed to an inpatient facility."

"This provides a crisis response facility," added Overbay.

The proposed treatment center would be for residents needing treatment in Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties.

"Phase two of this is to take a look at a ballot measure that we can put on and ask the citizens if they'd be willing to pay to be able to sustain this facility," Overbay said.

Okanogan County is considering using a portion of their settlement dollars in support of the new treatment center.

In addition, during their Monday legislative meeting, the Chelan County Commissioners agreed to give the county coroner $117,000 over the next three years as it assists in identifying who and where opioids are being used. From the proceeds of the settlement with drug makers, Chelan County offered up to $38,300 to the Columbia River Regional Drug Task Force.

Chelan County allocated $524,000 in grants last year, of the $2.9 million the county expects to receive over the next five years. Douglas County allocated $328,000 from the first round of settlement dollars received in 2025.

The Regional Justice Center Jail was awarded funds for medical monitoring sensors in detox cells.

Chelan county Superior Court received $58,141 for a part-time Therapeutic Court/Recovery Support coordinator.

Center for Drug and Alcohol Treatment in Wenatchee gained funds to support local treatment services.

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