Rep. Davis introduces legislation to fund addiction pre-treatment and recovery support services

Rep. Lauren Davis

State Rep. Lauren Davis (D-32nd District) introduced new legislation Monday to fund addiction pre-treatment and recovery support services by closing the pharmaceutical warehouse distributor tax loophole.

The 32nd District includes portions of Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood.

According to an announcement from Davis’ office, substance use disorder services occur along a continuum of care that includes three distinct and equally important parts: pre-treatment, treatment, and recovery support. Pre-treatment services and recovery support services are critical to engaging individuals in substance use disorder treatment and helping them remain in recovery after treatment completion, the announcement said.

However, since neither pre-treatment nor recovery support services are insurance billable, there is little to no funding for them. “We send people to treatment over and over but fail to help them stay in recovery by not funding critical recovery support services like housing, employment and education support, and recovery coaching,” Davis said.

She added that pre-treatment services are especially effective at engaging individuals experiencing homelessness. “These services meet individuals in active addiction where they are, including in homeless encampments, jails, and hospital emergency rooms to build trust, engender hope, and encourage these individuals to seek help and healing,” Davis explained.

“Pharmaceutical warehouse distributors have played a significant role in the opioid epidemic by serving as purveyors of large quantities of opioids to pharmacies across the state, so it only makes sense to ask them to play an equal role in recovery,” she continued.

Currently, pharmaceutical warehouse distributors enjoy a lower business and occupation manufacturing tax than Boeing. The business case that led to the creation of their tax preference was remedied by the legislature five years ago, but the tax break remains on the books.

Closing the loophole will raise about $20 million per year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.