Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) — Whatcom County Council members are considering a task force to work on incorporating alcohol and drug treatment programs with a new jail proposal that's been years in the making.
The Bellingham Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1AoZc7M) the cost of replacing the current jail is at more than $122 million and lawmakers want to reduce that cost and the growing jail population by providing effective mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Voters could be asked to pass a bond in November to fund the project, and lawmakers say some kind of diversion program would help gain public approval.
Council members are meeting May 5 to discuss creating the Criminal Justice Diversion Task Force. About $75,000 has been set aside for the group to explore building a facility run by the North Sound Mental Health Administration.
___
Information from: The Bellingham Herald, http://www.bellinghamherald.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
