With the transition to a new administration comes no shortage of politically significant issues. However, there are certain topics that should always remain of high importance. Bob Ferguson will soon take office as our 23rdGovernor, gaining even more power than he already had as Washington’s Attorney General. As he prepares to take office, it is important that he prioritizes opioid addiction treatment in his upcoming term.

During his tenure as attorney general, Ferguson helped recover over $1 billion to help tackle the addiction epidemic in Washington. A portion of these funds has been allocated to medication-assisted treatments, utilizing effective drugs like buprenorphine and methadone that have been proven to decrease the risk of overdose by more than 50%. Ferguson’s record reflects a commitment to addressing this issue seriously. He should keep up the momentum as he steps into his new role.

With a steady rise in the percentage of opioid-related deaths in Washington over the past few years, it is more crucial than ever to get to the root of this issue to ensure the health and safety of Washington residents. The Washington State Health Care Authority correctly notes that “medication is the first line of treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD).” Given this, any treatment initiatives and additional resources for opioid treatment programs (OTPs) should prioritize the safe use of medication for addiction. 

We also know that patients have an increased likelihood of achieving recovery when medication is combined with counseling. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the federal agency focused on addiction, says that “[r]egardless of what setting medication is provided, it is more effective when counseling and other services are available to provide patients with a whole-person approach and to support their recovery.”

This makes sense, as counseling’s personalized, patient-centered approach helps ensure patients are progressing well and using medication as instructed.

Comprehensive treatment centers are facilities that offer both medication and counseling. By safely and effectively combining these two services, comprehensive treatment centers provide the most effective way for patients to overcome addiction. While medication-assisted treatments such as methadone and buprenorphine enable patients to regain control of their lives by alleviating opioid cravings, counseling provides patients with observation and personalized attention from healthcare providers, ensuring that patients receive the proper treatment necessary to continue recovery.

Recently, a study revealed that patients utilizing an onsite clinic pharmacy had a one-year retention rate of 57.3%, whereas those who used offsite pharmacies showed a retention rate of 11.9%. In other words, patients who received their medication from a clinic providing vital services, like counseling, have a much higher chance of staying in treatment and improving.

While both medication and counseling on their own can be helpful tools to combat opioid addiction, the real, life-long benefits come from both treatments. If Washington wants to help lower the rate of opioid-related deaths, policymakers and providers should recognize comprehensive treatment as a key to the response.

As he steps into the new role of governor, Ferguson and policymakers should prioritize evidence-based treatment options, such as those offered by comprehensive treatment centers, as they continue their efforts to combat opioid addiction throughout Washington.

Nansen Malin lives in a rural village in SW Washington State. She serves on the local school board, in addition to other nonprofit boards focused on serving the poor, elderly and at risk in her community.