May 10 -- Fentanyl, What You Need to Know!
Date: May 10, 2023
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Where: HYBRID -- Northeast Community Center at 4001 N Cook St, Spokane, WA 99207 and Zoom
Join us for a free informational night and learn the facts about fentanyl, America's #1 drug threat. There will be free childcare and light refreshments. Please address questions to Lorraine at Lholokai@esd101.net or Heather at 509-953-1521.
To save your spot, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCCY223
Or scan the QR code in the PDF flyer here: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/Fentanyl%20Awareness%20Spokane.pdf
Top Local Drug Threat: Fentanyl
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number one killer of Americans aged 18 to 45 is fentanyl overdoses. The CDC estimates that over 104,000 people in the U.S. died from drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending on September 30, 2021. Sixty-five percent (65%) of those overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
Like most states across the country, the State of Washington has not been immune to the alarming increase in the availability of counterfeit fentanyl pills and overdoses. In Washington, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records show that seizures of counterfeit fentanyl pills increased by 264% from Fiscal Year 2020 to Fiscal Year 2021.
Along with the increase in seizures throughout the state, Washington experienced the associated increase in overdose deaths due to the availability and lethality of these counterfeit fentanyl pills. According to the Washington Department of Health (DOH), there were 805 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the first three quarters of 2021 compared to 653 during the entire year of 2020.
Spokane's Fentanyl Problem
The City of Spokane is the second largest city in Washington State. Due to its location on I-90 and proximity to Canada, it’s a central hub for narcotics distributed throughout Eastern Washington and other States to the east to include Idaho and Montana. Opioids (illicit fentanyl and heroin) and prescription drugs are among the top regional drug threats in Washington.
According to the NW Region Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Division of Drug Enforcement, there are three Indian Reservations (Kalispell Tribe, Spokane Tribe and Colville Tribe) in close proximity to Spokane and all three reservations are experiencing an alarming increase in fentanyl seizures as well as overdose deaths linked to fentanyl.
Local Statistics
Specifically in Spokane County, Department of Health records show over an 186% increase in fentanyl-related overdoses between 2020 and 2021 and a 1233% increase in fentanyl-related overdoses from 2017 to 2021.
From 2017 to 2021, the DEA Seattle Field Division increased its fentanyl seizures by 2,700% in Eastern Washington. Specifically to Spokane County, Seattle Field Division fentanyl seizures increased by 1,098% from 2020 to 2021.
Partners
Substance Misuse Prevention Resources
Events
Date: May 10, 2023
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Where: HYBRID -- Northeast Community Center at 4001 N Cook St, Spokane, WA 99207 and Zoom
Join us for a free informational night and learn the facts about fentanyl, America's #1 drug threat. There will be free childcare and light refreshments. Please address questions to Lorraine at Lholokai@esd101.net or Heather at 509-953-1521.
To save your spot, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCCY223
Or scan the QR code in the PDF flyer here: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/Fentanyl%20Awareness%20Spokane.pdf
Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Where: Spokane Public Library, 906 W. Main Ave., Spokane, WA 99201
Trainers will teach youth in 7th grade and up how to speak up and become leaders. Registration link to follow.
Treatment
Connect With Us!
Sign up for email updates about Spokane's Operation Engage Initiative.
Stay up to date with the Operation Engage initiative in Spokane by following the DEA Seattle Twitter account @DEASpokane, and the hashtags: #OpEngageSpokane and #EngagewithSpokane
