EVERETT — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday said Snohomish County has come up with an idea that ought to go statewide in helping Washington tackle some of its toughest problems.

The state is wrestling with the interrelated scourges of opioid addiction, a growing homeless population and untreated mentally ill people being warehoused behind bars, Inslee said. County leaders have come up with an idea that promises to make a difference in each of those areas.

“I think this is genius on the streets,” he said.

The governor made his comments while touring the diversion center the county is about to open in downtown Everett — a place where people living on the streets can be brought immediately for temporary housing, medical attention and social services as soon as they ask for help.

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