OLYMPIA -- The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (DASA) has scheduled public hearings in Shoreline and Lynnwood to obtain public comment on the relocation of Therapeutic Health Services (THS).

THS is moving from 17962 Midvale Avenue North in Shoreline to 16715 Aurora Avenue North in Shoreline. The hearing will be held in accordance with state laws and administrative codes.

The public meeting will have two parts. The first part will provide information about the proposed relocation certification process. The DSHS hearing officer will then record public testimony. The information will be provided to DASA as part of the relocation review process.  

The public hearings are:

• July 6 – at the Washington State University Extension Office, located at the back of McCollum Park, 600 128th Street S.E., in Everett.
  Sign-in will begin at 2:45 p.m.
  The hearing will begin at 3:00 p.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
  
• July 6 – at the Shoreline Public Library, 345 NE 175th, in Shoreline.
  Sign-in will begin at 5:45 p.m.
  The hearing will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 7:30 p.m.

Background

THS provides counseling in an out-patient setting, in conjunction with prescribed medications, for people diagnosed with opiate addiction. Methadone is one of the medications used in the opiate treatment program, along with counseling and education.

THS has been a DSHS-DASA certified outpatient chemical dependency program since December 1, 1981. They have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc. (CARF) since 1999. THS has been in good standing with both agencies since that time.

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• People with questions can contact Deb Cummins, DASA Certification Policy Manager, at (360) 725-3716 or Toll Free 1-877-301-4557, or e-mail at cummida@dshs.wa.gov.
• The public can go to the DASA web site at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/hrsa/dasa/ResearchFactSheets/449fsMTFOA0604.pdf for a fact sheet on recent DSHS research that shows methadone treatment reduces health care costs and reduces arrests/convictions.  
• Information on opiate treatment program accreditation and adjunctive medications can be found on the DASA web site: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/DASA/services/certification/agencycertification.shtml#OTP