A community conversation about Seattle and the overdose crisis King County is experiencing a record amount of overdose deaths. The number of residents who died from a drug overdose has doubled over the past five years. KUOW invited a panel of experts in the field of addiction and recovery to share their on-the-ground experience and answer your questions about this public health crisis. Here are a few key takeaways from that conversation.
KUOW Newsroom A cautionary tale of teen fentanyl abuse prompts advice for parents and friends 'They were telling her, essentially, to hold the line, to cut off their son, and she didn't.'
KUOW Newsroom A Seattle teen quit smoking fentanyl. Every morning he thanks God he’s alive “I spent a lot of time thinking that I was the cool guy,” he says, sitting on his parents’ couch in northwest Seattle. “But now I go get a shot in my butt every month and I go to AA, you know what I mean? It's humbling.”
KUOW Newsroom Fentanyl is a great drug for cartels. But those blue pills are killing King County Fentanyl pills are often called blues, and they’re on sale everywhere. It’s just gotten so easy to make and smuggle fentanyl that it’s flooding the illegal drug market in this area – and killing people – more than ever.
The Biden team is scrambling to slow a crushing wave of drug overdose deaths Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is rolling out a new plan to slow drug deaths, which he says will include controversial measures such as clean needles and fentanyl test strips.
Black Opioid Overdose Deaths Are Increasing Faster Than Whites, Study Finds Black communities face a growing share of overdoses, but addiction treatment resources and attention are still focused on white communities.
Some Health Workers Suffering From Addiction Steal Drugs Meant For Patients The Drug Enforcement Agency relies on hospitals to identify nurses and doctors who misuse drugs such as morphine and fentanyl. But "only a fraction of those who are diverting drugs are ever caught."
Coronavirus Crisis Spurs Access To Online Treatment For Opioid Addiction The federal government has waived a law that required an in-person doctor's visit before patients could be prescribed drugs that quell withdrawal symptoms. That's a boon for patients, counselors say.
KUOW Newsroom Seattle addiction clinic welcomes new methadone guidelines in wake of coronavirus Addiction treatment is considered an essential service during the stay-home order. Providers say social distancing rules could result in a silver lining for their patients.
All Things Considered In The Fight For Money For The Opioid Crisis, Will The Youngest Victims Be Left Out? The opioid epidemic is intergenerational, with tens of thousands of babies born every year dependent on opioids. Advocates worry lawsuits against the drug industry might overlook these children.
