County releases new 2-part, 'holistic' plan for opioid, fentanyl crisis

EVERETT — The worsening fentanyl crisis, the allocation of the state’s $518 million opioid settlement and a family tragedy are converging catalysts for Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers’ new “holistic plan” to address the drug crisis.

-snip-

First, it proposes a spending plan for the initial $1.4 million slice of opioid settlement funds Snohomish County will receive.

Second, it issues an executive directive to the county Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the response to the crisis through the Multi-Agency Coordination group. The group was created in 2017 as a collaboration between the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the county health district and human services providers.

From 2017 to 2022, the number of opioid-related overdose deaths reported in Snohomish County more than doubled. Somers said the stressors of COVID, the rising cost of housing and the “tidal wave” of cheap, strong, inexpensive drugs have exacerbated the crisis.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/county-releases-new-2-part-holistic-plan-for-opioid-fentanyl-crisis/