RACINE – Monday morning, area elected officials and honored guests were on hand at 1720 Taylor Ave. in Racine as Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave made an announcement regarding a historic investment in mental health services.

The announcement included details that an approximately $25 million expansion of the Taylor Avenue campus would include a new consolidated mental health service building at the location. Delagrave also requested the Racine County Board of Supervisors approve a $100,000 investment in state-of-the-art laser drug identification technology to better protect our brave law enforcement officers and dedicated first responders.

“You’re standing on the future site of our consolidated mental health services building,” said Delagrave. “This building will be home to coordinated, regional, high-quality services that will unite all facets of our behavioral and mental health service team: therapists and providers, law enforcement and emergency personnel, advocates, and community stakeholders.”

The facility, which is projected to open in late 2024, will once again set Racine County apart as a leader in delivering top-notch mental health services to its residents. County Executive Delagrave’s priority of delivering accessible mental health support to those in need regardless of their age, background, or socioeconomic status will finally be realized.

One of the many highlights of the new building will be its 10-bed residential treatment facility for individuals in need of 24-hour structured care in a non-hospital environment. There are currently no other facilities in southeast Wisconsin that offer such a model.

On hand for Monday’s event was Captain Cary Madrigal of the Racine County Sheriff’s Office. Delagrave emphasized the important role this new mental health facility will play in supporting those in need of substance abuse support focused on compassion and support, while Madrigal discussed the impact mental health has on individuals sometimes encountering area law enforcement. Madrigal also shared an example of the laser drug identification devices mentioned during the County Executive’s speech. Racine County plans on investing approximately $100,000 to purchase these portable devices to support law enforcement engaged in the battle against illegal drugs, like synthetic fentanyl.

“To our law enforcement officers – we’ve got your back,” said Delagrave. “Racine County will once again be a trailblazer by being the first in the state to purchase state-of-the-art technology to support our men and women on the front line.”

Surrounding the speakers and audience in attendance were 129 human silhouettes meant to represent each of the 129 residents who died in the last three years as a result of drug overdose. Posterboards were available at the event featuring a new ad campaign developed by the Racine County Public Health Division focused on a One Pill Can Kill message.

“Substance Abuse and overdose fatalities may have never been more challenging,” added Delagrave. “Racine County has received two spike alerts in 2023 so far, which is a 111 percent increase from last year at this time. If we continue at this rate, we will see the highest rate of overdose since its all-time peak in 2019.”