Local survey highlights how syringe service sites provide low-barrier entry point to connect people to services

April 16, 2026.Reading time 9 minutes.

A photo of a wall with posters promoting treatment options.

Every two years, we conduct a survey of syringe service program clients as part of a statewide survey in partnership with University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI). The aim is to understand the needs of our clients and provide data to inform effective services to improve the health of people who use drugs.

Recognizing Overdose Awareness Day in our community

August 26, 2024.Reading time 9 minutes.

A purple graphic. Text reads #EndOverdose with logos for International Overdose Awareness Day and Pennington Institute

Overdose Awareness Day is a time when we can all take part in continuing the collective work to reduce overdoses. Here are ways to recognize the day and make a difference in our community.

Local survey highlights substantial changes in drug use over the past few years

April 25, 2024.Reading time 9 minutes.

Every two years, University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI), in partnership with Public Health, conducts a statewide survey of people who utilize syringe service programs. We sat down with Sara Glick, PhD, Epidemiologist for Public Health – Seattle & King County, Associate Professor at University of Washington, and the lead researcher and author of the local report, to learn about the report findings.

Should Narcan be in the family medicine cabinet?

January 19, 2024.Reading time 7 minutes.

Brad Finegood, our Strategic Advisor for Behavioral Health, sat down with Seattle’s Child Magazine to answer parents’ questions about Narcan, the medication that rapidly reduces opioid overdose. His interview is excerpted with permission.

Vending machines dispense critical tools for preventing overdose

April 13, 2023.Reading time 6 minutes.

vending machine stacked with fentanyl test strips, intramuscular naloxone kits, narcan nasal spray, and latex (and non-latex) condoms and lube

In April 2022, Public Health worked with a local community organization, Peer Washington that operates Peer Seattle and Peer Kent to place vending machines at their sites to provide access to free, confidential overdose prevention supplies and resources.

It May Not Be Cocaine: Fentanyl in White Powder in King County

December 27, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

We are seeing an increase in fatal overdoses involving fentanyl in the form of white powder, even though fentanyl in pills remains the most common form. White powder fentanyl could easily be mistaken for other drugs, like cocaine, or pressed to look like rock cocaine. From our 2022 overdose report, among the overdose deaths where a fentanyl-substance was identified, the majority (64%) were linked to pills, but almost a quarter (23%) were linked to powders. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful opioid.