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WASBIRTThe WASBIRT project is a federal grant that has been implemented locally through a partnership with Southwest Washington Medical Center, Lifeline Connections and CSNW. Chemical Dependency professionals screen individuals in the emergency room for problems related to alcohol and drug use. Those individuals who report misuse or abuse receive a brief intervention designed to increase awareness, education, and motivation to address lifestyle changes they may want to make. The project has been implemented in nine hospitals statewide and has screened over 60,000 individuals. Approximately 4,000 people have elected to receive treatment that might otherwise have gone unserved. Through early intervention such as this, dramatic costs can be saved in health care alone. Initial findings suggest that as much as $2 million might be saved annually among Medicaid patients. Planning is currently underway to assure sustainability of the service after the grant period ends in 2008. |
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Copyright © 2008
Community Services Northwest, P.O. Box 1845
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