Kenneth D. Stark, Director Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Department of Social and Health Services

The division has been working closely with federal, state, and local government agencies tracking the trends of methamphetamine manufacturing/distribution, deaths, and treatment admissions. While not the primary drug of abuse in Washington State, methamphetamine has the potential of becoming the most available and one of the greatest health and safety threats to our communities. This drug is easy to manufacture, it is low cost, and it is highly addictive when used daily.

Over the past six years there has been a seven-fold increase in treatment admissions statewide. Rural communities tend to experience the greatest impact although Pierce and Spokane Counties have seen significant increases in methamphetamine treatment admissions. In addition to treatment admissions, the Department of Social and Health Services has experienced a dramatic increase in Child Protective Services calls related to methamphetamines wherein the parents or guardians have been arrested in crude methamphetamine labs.

In an effort to respond to this crisis, the division has developed a variety of collaborative strategies working with government agencies and social service organizations. The division also funds a variety of services including:

• Alcohol/Drug Helpline - 24 hour per day telephone crisis line and treatment referrals
  Toll Free #: 1-800-562-1240
  
• Alcohol/Drug Information Clearinghouse - call for educational/informational materials on a wide variety of topics related to alcohol/drugs. Will send you materials for free and refer you to other resources
  Toll Free #: 1-800-662-9111