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New addiction treatment facility discussed in Auburn

Mayor Nancy Backus said the city supports the development, which is funded by the Muckleshoot tribe.

The Washington Department of Health held a meeting Thursday night to hear from community members on a new opioid addiction treatment facility planned for Auburn.

The proposed facility, located at 3320 Auburn Way N., would be the first of its kind in the city. We Care Daily Clinic would combine treatment by FDA-approved medications with behavioral health counseling.

The approach is “based on years of highly successful tribal behavioral health programs,” according to clinic leaders.

Mayor Nancy Backus said the city supports the development, which is funded by the Muckleshoot tribe. She said no city funding is involved.

Credit: KING5
The We Care Daily Clinic is funded by the Muckleshoot tribe, and described as an expansion of their existing efforts to reach non-tribal members.

“Auburn is not unlike any city in South King County or this country, in that we have found a growing epidemic for heroin and opioid use,” Backus said. “And that opioid use disorder manifests itself in so many different ways. We see people on the streets, see people who are unsheltered, homeless, some who have shelter but have that disorder and are looking to get off of substances… this clinic is going to provide the opportunity for them to get the treatment they need to maintain.”

A representative of We Care Daily Clinics was not present at the meeting. A presentation deck provided said the new clinic would be an expansion to serve non-tribal members.

A Department of Health representative presented some information about the project and then heard public comment from community members. They did not answer questions.

“The drive up here was longer than the meeting lasted,” said John Yorke, of Auburn.

He said he lives miles from the site – but still had questions.

“Certainly I have concerns about our community, concerns about how such a facility would impact property values, whether it attracts crimes, the kind of patients that will be attracted,” he said.

Part of the clinic’s plan details safety and security – including surveillance, patrols, security guards, and planned patient transport.

After the formal meeting ended, Mayor Backus answered as many questions as she could.

“I think there’s a lot of fear in the unknown,” she said. “I’ll tell you one thing absolutely – this is not a safe injection site.”

“This is for people who are trying to help themselves to be productive members of society,” she said.

Andrew Brenlan, of Auburn, believes it could be a good thing.

“For me, I just think one important measure of our society is how we treat the people that are the most vulnerable and struggling, so the idea of having a place people can go who are suffering and struggling right here in Auburn makes a really huge difference I think,” he said.

Mayor Backus said work is underway at the site, because they hope to able to open soon after state approval – which could come as soon as April or May.

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