Everett, Wash. Published: Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Snohomish County raises sales tax to pay for drug treatment
By Krista J. Kapralos Herald Writer
EVERETT -- The Snohomish County Council agreed today raise the sales tax by one-tenth of 1 percent to fund rehabilitation facilities for people who are drug addicted or mentally ill.
The program will begin on April 1, and will bring $52.8 million in its first five years. The money will help expand drug court programs and rehabilitation centers.
“This is a public safety issue,” Councilman Dave Gossett said. “This is an issue of whether we treat people or put people in jail to keep them cycling through the system. But most important, it’s an issue of simple humanity.”
Dozens of mental health professionals, former drug addicts and concerned family members told the council at its regular meeting today that the county doesn’t currently have enough space to treat people who need it. The meeting began at 10 a.m., and council Chairman Dave Somers ended public testimony at noon, when there were still nine pages-worth of people signed up to speak. He asked if anyone was there to speak against the tax, and no one in the crowded room responded.
