Learn how addiction and mental health care were brought to Tri-Cities | Opinion

A resident of Benton or Franklin Counties dies of addiction every five days.

Nationwide, it’s every five minutes.

Up to 40 million Americans are in active addiction all around us — in every workplace, school, church, business and neighborhood.

The Tri-Cities and surrounding region is the only major metropolitan area in the state that does not have a residential substance use treatment facility or a detox unit. The region also lacks short-term crisis stabilization treatment options, with only one provider for a population exceeding 300,000 people.

With limited options for those in mental health crisis, and a higher death rate from overdose than the state average, the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment prepared by the Benton-Franklin Health District identified behavioral health, particularly mental health and substance use disorder treatment, as one of the largest unmet needs in our community. What have we done to address that need?

On Sept. 18, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will host an online forum at noon about how a group of committed citizens created the Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition, garnered the support of Benton County Commissioner Jerome Delvin and other elected officials, and launched what will soon become the Columbia Valley Center for Recovery.

As the Recovery Coalition president, Michele Gerber will share how coming together as a coalition gave people hope. “They rallied because they saw they were not helpless in the face of this epidemic, but through their action and advocacy could offer practical solutions and save lives,” she said.

Benton County Deputy Administrator Matt Rasmussen, who has led the county in applying for state grants, researching regulations and learning about the field of behavioral health, will also provide his insights. “While it’s been incredibly hard work, it’s exhilarating to find community partners, legislators and experts all pulling together in such a great cause,” he said.

With a comprehensive approach to recovery, the Tri-Cities now stands to lead Washington state in addressing the scourge of drug addiction and its consequences in a comprehensive manner. Combining related services under one roof, which include treatment for imminent crisis to long-term substance use treatment and after treatment services like housing and vocational training, ensures the highest success rates for people on the journey to recovery and reintegration into the community.

Together, the coalition and the county have raised nearly $45 million in public and private funds for the first two phases of the center. The first phase will offer crisis stabilization services, withdrawal management services and resident treatment services. Future plans include transitional housing and youth behavioral health treatment programs. The center will be located in the remodeled former Kennewick General Hospital.

Rasmussen and Gerber will share the obstacles overcome and the successes this public-private partnership has enjoyed. This has been a community endeavor made possible by an outpouring of support and work, worth celebrating as we near completion of the first phase of the center. The Center for Recovery will revitalize a neighborhood, improve the safety of our community, give people hope, and save lives.

Learn how close we are to launching the Center for Recovery by registering at columbiabasinbadgers.com to receive links to join the hourlong Zoom forum and half-hour “Table Talk” open-mic session afterward. Cost is $10 for nonmembers, while club members are free.

Michele Gerber was the Hanford Site historian for 22 years. After the death of her son from drug addiction, she founded the Benton Franklin Recovery Coalition. Matt Rasmussen is the deputy Benton County administrator.

This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.