In a significant push against the opioid crisis, Pierce County has introduced an extended detox program, channeling $1.3 million into the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC) to bolster its detox services, according to a recent announcement. The county's initiative seeks to extend the duration of detox stays from the conventional five to six days to a maximum of 10 days, affording individuals a better chance to stabilize prior to entering long-term inpatient treatment.
With opioid overdoses reigning as the leading cause of accidental death in Pierce County since 2020, Executive Ryan Mello underscored the urgency of expanding detox services, and how those few additional days can create a stronger link to long-term support and mitigate the likelihood of readmissions. Thus, this extension represents a targeted use of resources for saving lives and guiding individuals toward recovery paths, confirming that in 2024, the county witnessed 423 deaths by accidental overdose, over 70% of which involved opioids. And despite most managed care organizations authorizing only a brief detox period, extended stays show promise in encouraging patients to seek subsequent care and maintain their recovery, reducing the instances where a mere five to six days lead to relapse.
Pierce County residents in need of withdrawal management can now call MDC's 24/7 helpline or walk into their Tacoma office for a screening to determine eligibility. MDC has been a critical player in Pierce County for over three decades, recently expanding to 32 detox beds and assisting over 2,000 residents in the past year alone, thus, with this service expansion, MDC aims to calibrate care with evidence and the real experiences of individuals in recovery.
Executive Director Schott Schubert articulated the essence of this initiative, indicating that it is not just about additional days in detox, but providing the necessary time for recovery to truly begin "By aligning services with what we know from research and lived experience, we can improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, and help individuals take meaningful steps toward long-term recovery," Schubert told Pierce County News.
