By ANNELI FOGT

Editor

Islanders this week can expect to welcome a new resource to town: A substance abuse and mental health counseling service with counselors hoping to “fill the void” that currently exists for those who struggle with substance abuse on Vashon.

Tacoma-based counseling service Casteele, Williams & Associates officially started the program on the island on Tuesday with the help of islander Lee Kopines.

“We will be providing a host of substance abuse counseling and assessment,” John Casteele of CWA said.

He said he has been in contact with the island’s schools to identify needs for both youth and families, and hopes that the service will be more convenient than going off-island and will keep people in counseling.

“We received invitations to help fill that void (on the island),” Casteele said. “There were needs last year with youth, and they had to commute by ferry to Tacoma. It was an inconvenience, and there was a high cost. Because of that, people prematurely abort treatment.”

By having counselors come to the island, he said that the process will be more convenient, and his “holistic approach” will be helpful.

“We offer mental health assessments as well, not just substance abuse,” Casteele said. “Some people use substances to self-medicate, so then you end up with two problems: The underlying mental health issue and then the substance abuse issue. We’re getting a tremendously positive response already.”

Counselors will be available Wednesdays and Thursdays after 4 p.m. at the Seeds 4 Success building located in the Vashon Village. Evening meetings will be organized in the coming weeks.

Kopines said Monday that three local students have already been referred to the service.