Will a mobile treatment team help curb the opioid crisis in Pierce County?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pierce County allocated $3.2M for mobile opioid treatment launching in 2026.
- Two vans will deliver medication, counseling and peer support across rural areas.
- County will track program impact with a Randomized Control Trial through 2027.
The Pierce County Council has approved more than $3.2 million for a new Mobile Opioid Treatment Program that the county says will bring life-saving medication and recovery services to communities across the county.
According to a statement from the county, the program will be the first of its kind in the region and is designed to remove barriers to treatment and provide care for people struggling with opioid-use disorder, particularly in rural and suburban areas with limited access to treatment facilities.
A substance-abuse treatment organization known as Pierce County Alliance was chosen by the county to operate the mobile opioid team.
The program is funded with federal grants and proceeds from national opioid settlements. In late 2022, Washington state started receiving funds from settlements with companies that fueled the opioid public health crisis. Pierce County will receive a percentage of settlement funds until 2034.
The funding will support the purchase and deployment of up to two mobile treatment vans, staffed by medical and behavioral health professionals, peer recovery specialists and support personnel.
According to council documents, the approved budget for the project is $3,263,159 for the period spanning July 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2027.
“Of this total, $548,000 is budgeted for the purchase and retrofit of the van, leaving a remaining balance of $2,715,159 to support service delivery,” the document states. “This remaining amount equates to just over $88,000 per month and reflects an expanded staffing model that supports 8-10 personnel.”
According to the county documents, the selected provider proposed to serve the Bonney Lake, Orting and Graham regions six days per week, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm..
The project proposal also states that the mobile opioid service could operate in East and West Pierce, including the Key Peninsula region.
“These new mobile treatment units represent a major step forward in making recovery services accessible to all residents of Pierce County,” said County Executive Ryan Mello in a statement regarding the program’s approval. “By meeting people where they are and bringing these solutions directly to those who need it most, we’re ensuring that geography and transportation access are no longer barriers to life-saving care.”
Drug-related deaths have been on the rise in Pierce County in recent years. In 2024, 423 people died from accidental overdoses in Pierce County, and more than 70% involved opioids.
“The opioid crisis has touched every corner of Pierce County,” Council Chair Jani Hitchen said in a statement. “With these mobile treatment units, we’re taking services into our neighborhoods, so every community member has the support they need for an opportunity to recover. This is about compassion, equity, and ensuring no one is left behind in addressing addiction.”
The mobile units will dispense all FDA-approved medications for opioid-use disorder, provide on-site or telehealth counseling, and connect participants to recovery support in their community.
According to the county, services are expected to begin in early 2026 and will rotate between multiple locations.
According to project proposal documents, the county will conduct a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) to measure the effectiveness of the team in mitigating the opioid crisis in Pierce County.
“This program is about reducing harm and offering hope,” said Gary Gant, Human Services director in a statement. “Every life saved from opioid addiction is a victory for our community. I am grateful to our behavioral health team and service providers for bringing this innovative and much-needed solution to Pierce County.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2025 at 5:15 AM.
