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Contact: Deb Cummins, (360) 725-3716, debra.cummins@dshs.wa.gov
Contact: Deb Schnellman, (360) 725-3763, deb.schnellman@dshs.wa.gov
Contact: Kathy Spears, (360) 902-7893, kathleen.spears@dshs.wa.gov
August 03, 2012
DSHS schedules public hearings on proposed Lummi Counseling opiate substitution treatment program

OLYMPIA – The Department of Social and Health Services has scheduled two public hearings in Bellingham to receive comments on plans to add an opiate substitution treatment service to an existing chemical dependency treatment program. The program would serve people who are dependent on opiates, such as heroin and OxyContin.

The treatment program, Lummi Counseling and Rehabilitative Services – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), is requesting to provide services at 2530 Kwina Road, Bellingham. The treatment program includes medication (Suboxone), case management, therapeutic treatment and medical oversight.

The proposed services will improve access to essential health care for Lummi Tribal members.

The public hearings are scheduled for August 28, 2012, in the following locations:

  • St. Luke's Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham.

      Sign-in begins at 2:45 p.m., and the hearing is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m.

  • Northwest Indian College Log Building, 2522 Kwina Road, Bellingham. 

      Sign-in begins at 5:45 p.m., and the hearing is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m.

Lummi Counseling and Rehabilitative Services OTP is seeking DSHS Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery certification to operate medication-assisted treatment. They also must be registered with the Washington state Department of Health Board of Pharmacy, licensed by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, certified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and accredited by a federally recognized accreditation body. For more information, see information about Suboxone.

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