Earlier today, in a move addressing the dire substance abuse situation in Beaverton, Washington County ceremonially broke ground on what's set to be the epicenter of new addiction treatment options. According to a release, the Center for Addictions Triage and Treatment (CATT), which plans to open doors by late 2025, will notably include 86 new treatment beds in an area lacking in local resources.
The celebration saw a lineup of notable figures such as Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Senator Kate Lieber wielding shovels on the future site. The county's action comes in response to a stark absence of sobering beds, and the presence of a scant number of residential beds with none publicly funded for detox. The new facility, situated at 17911 NW Evergreen Place, promises to fill this void with crucial services including residential treatment, detox, and managed sobering, spearheaded by the county's longstanding partner CODA, Inc.
Washington County's investment in fighting addiction goes beyond the Beaverton site: A partner campus at 5250 NE Elam Young Parkway in Hillsboro is prepped to offer additional outpatient services. These will be provided by a collaboration of local organizations such as Solutions Group NW, Lifeworks NW, and others, with an expected operational status by spring 2025. "From the beginning, this project has been community-driven," Mjere Simantel, director of Washington County Health and Human Services, told the publication about the over three years of developmental work, enriched by input from myriad community members, including those with firsthand experience battling addiction.
Architectural and construction expertise for the CATT is provided by Holst Architecture and R&H Construction, respectively. In line with the project's core values, the construction phase will witness collaboration between R&H Construction and Advanced Tribal, a Native American-owned general contracting firm. "We prioritized finding local businesses with a share our vision for creating a trauma-informed space that align with our commitment to equity, inclusion, and celebrating diversity; those who want to get help for their addiction," said Kathryn Harrington, chair of the Board of County Commissioners, emphasizing the importance of partnerships reflective of the community's needs.
Totaling $63 million, funding for the CATT's establishment and operation combines a diverse mix of sources. These range from Measure 110 grant funds and Behavioral Health funds to contributions from health organizations like CareOregon and Providence Health and Services. Additionally, various cities including Hillsboro and Forest Grove are utilizing their shares of the opioid settlement funds in support of this project, highlighting the shared regional investment in tackling the addiction crisis head-on.
