As deadly overdoses decline, Snohomish County builds on what's working

EVERETT — Opioid overdose deaths have been trending down nationwide — and in Snohomish County — since winter. Meanwhile, the county’s opioid crisis response is only growing.

From 2019 to 2023, opioid-related deaths in Snohomish County increased 355%. Opioids caused 269 out of 334 overdose deaths last year, an all-time high. The powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl has powered the rise, causing 95% of those deaths.

This year, 106 residents had died from opioids as of May. The latest monthly peak, 31 deaths, hit in February. But overall, overdoses have declined 20% compared to last year. In a county Board of Health meeting Tuesday, Health Officer James Lewis said local substance abuse prevention efforts are likely contributing to the downturn.

Since 2022, the county has distributed more than 500 kits of Narcan, the name-brand version of the opioid-reversal medication naloxone, and trained more than 140 residents on overdose response. First responders have performed more than 400 successful overdose reversals, and provided more than 70 Narcan kits as part of the nationwide “Leave Behind” program.

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