Overdoses on the rise in Snohomish County, sheriff’s office warns
Published 5:10 pm Wednesday, August 24, 2022
EVERETT — In the past two months, Snohomish County has seen a notable rise in reports of overdoses from street or prescription drugs, according to the sheriff’s office.
From July 26 to Aug. 8, medical crews and law enforcement reportedly responded to 40 overdoses in the county. Not all were fatal.
By comparison, in the entire month of July, there were 10 suspected or confirmed overdoses, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a press release Wednesday.
“The presence of the dangerous drug, fentanyl in our community continues to grow and threatens lives and public safety across our county and state,” the press release reads.
In the first four months of 2022, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office reported at least 67 overdose-related deaths. Blood toxicity tests showed fentanyl was present in 58% of those reported deaths. Methamphetamine was the second-most prevalent drug found.
“Members of the public should be aware of the prolific supply of fentanyl and methamphetamine in our community and take measures to protect themselves, friends and loved ones,” the sheriff’s office wrote. “While blue counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl are most common, the Regional Drug Task Force and our law enforcement partners in the community have seen an increase of fentanyl in powder or crystal form over the past several months, along with multi-color counterfeit pills.”
Fentanyl is often mixed with other common street drugs, according to the task force.
If you or someone you know is in danger of an overdose, call 911.
The medical examiner’s office has a public online database with prevention resources and data on overdose deaths in the county. So far this year, at least 188 drug overdose deaths have been reported.
Resources
Find treatment options near you at SAMHSA’s findtreatment.gov
Washington Recovery Help Line: 1-866-789-1511
Find resources and recovery meetings at Everett Recovery Cafe: 1212 California St., 425-258-5630
The Carnegie Resource Center is Snohomish County’s resource hub at 3001 Oakes Ave., Everett, 425-434-4680.
How to administer Narcan: vimeo.com/357020563 and bit.ly/3OWWjrL
Washington state pharmacies carry Narcan (also known by its generic name naloxone) and can distribute without a prescription. Insurance may cover some of the cost.
County resources: snohomishoverdoseprevention.com
Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; ellen.dennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.
