Facing Fentanyl in Eastern Washington

Like so much of the country, Washington state is amid a growing fentanyl/opioid crisis. Overdose deaths have doubled in just three years. Closer to home, Mayor Lisa Brown declared an emergency to implement an integrated response to address the opioid crisis in the City of Spokane. In tandem with other education/prevention campaigns, community engagement provides vital information to, and connection with, our neighbors who need it most.

The Department of Social and Health Services serves more than two million customers and clients yearly and is an expert in community and customer engagement. DSHS’ Local Planning Areas together with the Department of Health, Health Care Authority, and community partners will host Facing Fentanyl Together, simultaneous Opioid/Fentanyl Resource Fairs held across the state. These events will bring together professional experts, people with lived experience, and community programs to provide members in the community with invaluable information and resources so that they are prepared to strategically respond to the crisis for themselves or their loved ones.

A collaboration between state agencies, tribes, counties, cities, communities, and business partners signals to people in Washington that we are facing fentanyl together. The events will take place on Friday, September 20, 2024, which is during Recovery Month.

(content by Facing Fentanyl Together)

How to get involved in our region:

Participate in Awareness

Wednesday, August 21, the Drug Enforcement Administration will recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Attend the Statewide Effort

Facing Fentanyl Together event on Friday, September 20 

Our local event will be held at the Spokane Maple Community Services Office, 1313 N Maple St, St 104, Spokane, WA 99201 from 1-5pm. They plan to provide information and education about drug abuse and invite multiple providers to be on-site during the event for immediate services. This will be an open community event, and we’re welcome to share the flyers which will be coming out soon. 

For more information about this event, please contact Lori.Hunley@dshs.wa.gov

Use your voice to VOTE

HB 1956 – Will require schools to educate teens about fentanyl, as well as other substances, by the 25-26 school year.