Medical Examiner’s Report: What we learned from those we lost in 2016

December 19, 2017.Reading time 5 minutes.

Last year, 14,373 people died in King County. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) investigated those deaths that were sudden, unexpected or unnatural – 2,494* in total. But, the count of life lost is more than a number. By tracking and analyzing different manners of death as well as trends in homicides, traffic fatalities, […]

What a comprehensive commitment to ending the opioid crisis would look like

October 27, 2017.Reading time 7 minutes.

Yesterday, the federal government called attention to the opioid crisis by declaring a Public Health Emergency. While the specific rulemaking or funding implications are still unknown, Public Health and our partners will be closely following any actions and impacts. What we do know is that the solution to this crisis requires action from all levels […]

Witnessing an overdose? Don’t be afraid to call 911

August 30, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

Special series: Community voices on overdose prevention – An interview with Captain Bryan Howard, King County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, August 31, is International Overdose Prevention Day. This week, we are sharing community perspectives on preventing overdose and addiction. We talked with Captain Bryan Howard – King County Sheriff’s Office, to learn about the Good Samaritan Law, naloxone […]

What I wish my parents had known about their medicine cabinet

August 28, 2017.Reading time 10 minutes.

Special series: Community voices on overdose prevention Thursday, August 31, is International Overdose Prevention Day. This week, we are sharing community perspectives on preventing overdose and addiction. We start with a conversation with Maya, an 18-year-old who started abusing prescription drugs at the age of 13. Now, she’s in recovery and shares her insight with us. […]

American Medical Association joins growing support for supervised consumption sites

June 15, 2017.Reading time 3 minutes.

This week, the American Medical Association (AMA), the largest association of physicians in the United States, announced support for the development of pilot facilities where people who use injection drugs can do so under medical supervision. “The endorsement by the American Medical Association to establish and evaluate supervised injection facilities affirms the recommendation by our […]

Facebook Live follow-up: Your questions about supervised consumption sites and treatment

June 14, 2017.Reading time 6 minutes.

During a recent Q&A on Facebook LIVE, Dr. Jeff Duchin and Brad Finegood, co-chairs of the Heroin and Prescription Opiate Addiction Task Force, answered some questions about supervised consumption sites (also known as CHELs)—a public health service for people with substance use disorders. CHELs (Community Health Engagement Locations) are one component of a comprehensive approach that […]