BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Finding the right key to fund Mental Health Services in North Dakota has been a challenge for lawmakers in the last decade, due to funding shortages, and it won’t be any different during this legislative session.

Valley City Representative Dwight Kiefert said it’s tough to hire addiction counselors and get those who need treatment into counseling. But sending clients who need help, to prison or jail isn’t the answer either.

Kiefer serves on the North Dakota House Human Services Committee.

Fargo State Senator Kathy Hogan once described the Mental Health Services situation in North Dakota as a 1,000-piece puzzle with several missing pieces.