According to a new report from the Seattle Auditors Office, there has been an alarming rise in deadly methamphetamine overdoses, leading city officials to ask what can be done to stop it.
The audit also highlights how much the overdose crisis impacts the homeless community, with an estimated 74% of all meth overdoses believed to be people experiencing homelessness.
“In Seattle, we estimate that nearly 3,800 people ages 18 and over suffer from methamphetamine use disorder, based on 2020 data. Recent survey data suggest that a significant number of these individuals might be interested in treatment to reduce or stop their methamphetamine use, especially if the treatment is easy to get,” the report says.
The report proposes a 12-week intervention program with participants meeting with practitioners twice a week. At the meetings, participants would submit to a urine drug test and if they test negative for the targeted substance, they receive a reward, usually a gift card or voucher.