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Medical Lake council hears regional "treatment-first" MOU, agrees to take up signature in January
Summary
Council workshop reviewed a nonbinding MOU endorsing a regional "treatment-first" approach to severe addiction and behavioral homelessness. Presenters including Sheldon Jackson and Sheriff Knowles urged the city to sign; the council agreed to place the MOU on the January agenda for possible signature.
Medical Lake council members spent a December workshop discussing a nonbinding memorandum of understanding that would formally endorse a regional "treatment-first" approach to people with severe addiction and behavioral health conditions who are living outdoors or engaged in criminal behavior.
Sheldon Jackson of Spokane, introduced as a participant in the grassroots effort, described two documents provided to the council: "1 is the MOU, which, again, [is] nonbinding," and a study by Dr. Marbot. Jackson said the aim is to have "every jurisdiction sign and deliver it to HUD" to show local willingness to implement treatment-focused policies tied to how federal funds are administered.
Sheriff Knowles, who joined the…
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