Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, September 12, 2008

COUNTY BUDGET

Investing in mental health saves money

 Our elected officials are currently making decisions about an operating budget for Snohomish County for the next two years. To me, the most startling fact about the proposed budget is that 75 percent of the general fund will be spent on law and justice.

There are so many pressing issues that our local government needs to address and yet most of our resources are spent on sending people to jail. There is something fundamentally wrong with this picture.

Other communities around the country, when faced with such a lopsided spending pattern, have taken a step back and tried to do things differently. And guess what they found? Investing in mental health and chemical dependency services, employment services and safe, affordable housing keeps people out of jail and is much cheaper. For example, Allegheny County, Pa., saved more than $5 million per year by addressing the needs of people headed for jail. The Washington State Institute for Public Policy has determined that every dollar invested in mental health and chemical dependency treatment results in $3.77 of benefits.

Locally, we need an initial investment of funds to jump-start the transition to smarter use of our public dollars. The 0.1 percent sales tax initiative that the County Council is currently considering will provide the investment that we need. With the proceeds of the tax, which must be spent on mental health and chemical dependency services, we can provide the services that will keep people out of jail. This will pay dividends to all of us who pay taxes and it will bring health and peace of mind to individuals and families who have not been able to get the services and support they need.

June Grube Robinson
Everett
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA