Thurston County proclaims September as National Recovery Month, highlights low‑barrier services

Thurston County commissioners on Sept. 16 adopted a proclamation declaring September 2025 as National Recovery Month and heard from county and community recovery providers about local treatment access and harm‑reduction services.

The proclamation was read and adopted during the Board of County Commissioners meeting. Commissioner Rachel Grant read the resolution and the board adopted it, declaring the county’s support for recovery programs and urging residents to “support recovery efforts, spread awareness, and reaffirm our commitment to a healthy and compassionate society.”

The proclamation, presenters said, reflects a broader effort to offer low‑barrier services and a range of recovery pathways. Katie Strozzi, opioid and overdose response program manager at Thurston County Public Health, told the board recovery is a spectrum and that the county supports treatment options beyond abstinence‑only programs. “Recovery includes harm reduction services, recovery includes medications for opioid use disorder, and recovery is really personal for each person,” Strozzi said.

Corey (last name not provided), a peer worker with Northwest Resources who described himself as having lived experience with addiction, said his program arranges furloughs from jail to connect people to treatment and helps with immediate post‑release services. “All I wanna say is, thank you for your guys’ time and your guys’ support,” he told the board.

Hannah Klimak, outreach coordinator for the Chehalis Tribe’s Hope and Healing Clinic, described a recently launched mobile unit and a downtown clinic location co‑located with syringe‑services and harm‑reduction partners. Klimak said co‑location has improved immediate connections to care: “When someone is ready for treatment, they don’t face the usual barriers of transportation, scheduling, or long delays. They can walk across the parking lot, connect with our team, and often begin care the very same day.”

Carolina Hershey, operations coordinator for the Thurston County Resource Hub, said the hub’s work centers on connection, self‑efficacy and community and described recovery as a “choice to be cherished and celebrated.”

The presentations followed remarks recognizing the role of peer specialists, clinicians and volunteers in expanding access to care. The proclamation text cited the 2025 National Recovery Month theme and encouraged residents to support recovery efforts countywide.

No formal board action beyond adoption of the proclamation was required; the board recessed for a photo after the presentations.