Together, We Can Address the Fentanyl Crisis in Our Community

by David Schaffert, President/CEO, Thurston County Chamber

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is causing a surge in overdoses and deaths in Thurston County, Washington. As the Director of Thurston County Public Health and Social Services and co-chair of the Thurston County Opioid Task Force, David Bayne notes, Fentanyl is hard to detect and is often mixed with other drugs, making it even more dangerous. This is further compounded by the fact that street versions of the drug are made in unregulated labs, and the Fentanyl found on the streets is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.

Kurt Hardin, the Director of Thurston County Emergency Services Department, warns that the Fentanyl crisis is straining EMS and hospitals, with bed capacity becoming increasingly limited. The emergency calls increased to over 40,000 in 2022, and the Fentanyl crisis compounds this already existing problem. At the state level, between 2016 and 2022, Fentanyl deaths have increased ten-fold.

Thurston County public health agencies are taking a dual strategy to prevent and respond to Fentanyl overdoses. The first strategy is to raise awareness of the increased risk of Fentanyl and dispel any misinformation around it. The second strategy involves increasing the use of Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The spray is a significant benefit for the public, allowing them to administer something immediately that can help someone breathe.

However, public health agencies cannot do this alone. Access to Narcan is critical to preventing overdoses and death, and businesses should have policies and procedures in place to make Narcan available. Moreover, we must remove the stigma around opioid use, so it is safe for individuals to acknowledge their addiction and seek treatment.

As members of the business community, we have a crucial role to play. We can make a significant difference in preventing overdoses and saving lives by making Narcan available and removing the stigma around opioid use. Opioid use affects everyone, regardless of their background or occupation. Let's take a stand against Fentanyl and show our support for those struggling with addiction. Together, we can make a difference and save lives.

The Thurston County Chamber is committed to addressing the Fentanyl crisis, and I urge you to join us in this effort.