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News brief: Drug court survives

By Sharyn  L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter

CHEHALIS – The three Lewis County commissioners voted unanimously today to approve a one-tenth of one cent local sales tax to fund drug court and other related programs.

County Commissioner Bill Schulte said public testimony given today was running two to one in favor of the measure.

He estimated about 30 people gave their opinions during the public hearing that just about filled the commissioner’s meeting room.

“What happens is we pay one way or the other,” Schulte said. “What happens is unfortunately, it costs more and we get poorer results if we do mental health through the jail.”

The proceeds can only be spent on what are called therapeutic courts – such as drug court and mental health court – and certain other measures to reduce substance abuse and help keep mentally ill individuals stable.

Consumers will likely see the change in October and it will take a couple of months before the county actually begins to see money coming into their account, according to the commissioners.

Supporters have said the increase would amount to about $20 per household per year.

The commissioners next will set up an advisory board to guide them in allocating the receipts, expected to amount to about $900,000 next year.
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Read background here [1]