Council hears on drug possession issues from Recovery Café

Rodger Nichols For The Sentinel

Much of the Goldendale city council’s meeting Monday centered on a presentation by Recovery Café on the Recovery Navigation Project. This is a diversion program for controlled substances coming out of state legislation that set up programs in every Washington County. Jim Jenson of Carelon Behavioral Health, formerly Beacon Health, was one of several representatives who spoke. He explained that in 2021, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in the case of State v. Blake that the state’s felony drug possession law was unconstitutional.

Jenson said that meant simple possession was not against the law for a while, but the Legislature stepped in and recriminalized possession of controlled substances.

“In that same bill,” he said, “they funded some resources for pre-arrest diversion to require two diversions for simple possession before you can charge somebody for simple possession.” (“Diversion” in controlled substance cases means law enforcement diverts a case to substance abuse disorder or mental health treatment as an alternative to arrest.)

He said the operation was unlike other situations: “It’s different than, let’s say, a drug court, a therapeutic court, where they say, ‘Do this or else.’ The way the Recovery Navigator titled the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, seeks to establish a legal framework to help bolster the current agricultural workforce. Newhouse is one of sixty-one Senators from across the country co-sponsoring the Bill. Rep. Newhouse sat at a long table in the conference room of the USDA Service Center and fielded questions in what he called a listening session. “I wanted to make sure as we work on this, if we get the language right, that farmers and ranchers in the state of Washington’s voices are heard,” said Newhouse. “So I wanted to hear from you all some priorities that should be

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14th District lawmakers to host virtual town hall

Lawmakers from the 14th Legislative District invite their constituents to join them for a legislative update and virtual question and answer session tomorrow, March 23, at 7 p.m.

Sen. Curtis King, Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, and Rep. Chris Corry will take part in the virtual town hall to provide the latest on their bills and the big-picture issues impacting those in the 14th Legislative District.

“I am looking forward to our 14th District Virtual Town Hall on March 23 with Reps. Corry and Mosbrucker,” said King-R, Yakima. “This meeting will be an excellent opportunity for our constituents to communicate their opinions or ask questions regarding bills we are considering this session. Hearing from those we represent is vitally important to the work we do in Olympia.”

“I’m grateful for the gift of serving you. I hope you can join us as we share another legislative update to hear your questions, comments, and any concerns,” said Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale. “Never forget the difference you make in our lives. Together we can work to make our beautiful Washington state even stronger and reflective of our values.”

“We have had some victories, but there are many concerning issues yet to be resolved around

See Town Hall page A8