EVERETT, SEPT. 18: Everett Community College (EvCC) is hosting a free event to prepare Snohomish County community members to respond to the opioid and fentanyl crisis for themselves or loved ones.
Facing Fentanyl Together is a one-day event in Washington, being hosted in 26 locations across the state. This resource fair is a way for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to address the fentanyl/opioid crisis.
The resource fair will run from 1-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 at EvCC’s Walt Price Student Fitness Center, 2206 Tower St. Everett. September is also known as Recovery Month.
The event will feature giveaways, live presentations, and Narcan demonstrations. Snohomish, Spokane and Yakima counties experienced higher overdose death rates than the statewide average from 2019-2021. In Snohomish County alone, 156 people died from synthetic opioid overdoses.
Each fair is being planned and hosted by Local Planning Areas (LPAs), partnerships that connect, coordinate, communicate and plan activities and projects together so people across Washington can succeed.
The Department of Social and Health Services is working with the Department of Health, Health Care Authority, tribes, county business partners and community partners.
Resources:
If you think someone has overdosed, follow these steps:
- Check for signs of overdose.
- Call 911
- Give Naloxone (Narcan)* and start rescue breathing.
- Stay with them.
Washington Recovery Helpline (24hr crisis help & referral), 1-866-789-1511
*Naloxone, also known as Narcan, can reverse the effects of opioids and save lives during an overdose. Having the medication with you can save a life.
Naloxone can be purchased without a prescription from various pharmacies in Snohomish County and throughout Washington State. The antidote kits cost about $150 and may be eligible for insurance coverage. If you have Apple Health (WA Medicaid) there’s no copay. You can find free naloxone near you by visiting stopoverdose.org.
