Local leaders and individuals in recovery came together today at Bellevue College to address the rising death toll from drug and alcohol addiction. Recent data collected by epidemiologists suggest an estimated four people die every day from an overdose in King County.
Current estimates show that nearly 500 people died from drug or alcohol poisoning in King County so far this year. King County Councilman Reagan Dunn warns that if this trend continues the county could see 1,300 deaths by the end of the year.
Local leaders discussed the barriers to solving the crisis and the need for an action plan. Washington State Representative Lauren Davis spoke about the lack of funding for outreach and recovery programs. She argues too much money is funneled into treatment. Brad Finegood, a Seattle & King County Behavioral Health Advisor, says fentanyl use has spiraled out of control.
Students from the Seattle Recovery Academy also addressed the crowd. Student Amy Martinez-Lopez tells KIRO 7′s Lauren Donovan that kids aren’t just accidentally ingesting the potent drug when it is cut with others. She believes many are specifically seeking out the synthetic opioid for the high.
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