WA Saw 2,000+ Deadly Overdoses Last Year, And The Number Keeps Rising

OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Health is warning the public to be careful after a recent report found that more than 2,000 Washingtonians fatally overdosed last year. The DOH says that's the continuation of a worrying trend, as the 2000+ deaths mark a more than 66 percent increase in fatal overdoses in just two years.

The culprit is a familiar one: fentanyl.

“Overdose deaths are a public health emergency, and fentanyl is a major driver,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, Chief Science Officer. “What looks like a prescription oxycodone pill could be a counterfeit with more than enough fentanyl to kill. People who use drugs should assume that any drugs bought on the street, online, or from a friend has fentanyl.”

Overdose deaths are increasing among all age groups and races, the DOH said, and more than half of deadly overdoses have been linked to fentanyl. Fentanyl has become increasingly common in Washington and across the country, increasing overdose deaths by about ten times since 2016. Just last week, the Drug Enforcement Administration warned all Americans about the danger of fentanyl after a string of "mass overdose events" killed 29 people.

The opioid epidemic has been a growing problem across the country, but fentanyl has exacerbated the issue by making seemingly-innocuous opioids into deadly drugs. Fentanyl is often cut with other illegal drugs to help them go further on the street, leading to accidental overdoses, but more Washingtonians than ever are also knowingly consuming fentanyl: a recent UW Medicine survey found that 42 percent of respondents who used syringe-service program sites across the state had knowingly used fentanyl in the last three months.

"I've been doing drug-trends research for 20 years, and fentanyl's growth is the biggest, fastest shift we've ever seen—and also the most lethal," said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist for UW Medicine's Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute.

The DOH says most fentanyl deaths involved drugs cut with more than one substance, often fentanyl mixed with methamphetamine or other stimulants. Though overdose deaths are up across the spectrum, the biggest growths have been among men who are 45 years old and older. Overdose deaths are also fastest growing among Black, Latinx, and Native American/Alaska Native Washingtonians, the DOH said.

That said, fentanyl can be deadly regardless of age. Another UW Medicine study from late last year found that fentanyl is almost exactly as deadly in younger and older patients, compared to other drugs, which have significantly lower mortality rates in patients under 30.

"The data are stunning," Banta-Green said. "Historically, deaths involving heroin and prescription opiates were big deals, but the fentanyl trends are even worse. What is profoundly different is the years of life lost among people who overdose at age 20 or 25, in contrast with people who are 45 or 50."

In Washington, teen drug use has declined over the last decade, but those who are still using drugs have become more likely to fatally overdose, The Seattle Times reported. The youth overdose death rate in Washington remains 1.68 times the national average.

Related: WA Teens More Anxious, But Less Likely To Abuse Drugs

Fortunately, there is a way to reverse overdoses if they're caught in time, through the drug naloxone.

“The continued increase in overdose deaths is alarming, but there are things we can all do to save lives. Carrying naloxone can make the difference between life and death in many overdose situations.” said Dr. Kwan-Gett. “It can be effective for all opioids, including fentanyl, but in some cases may require more than one dose to reverse an overdose.”

Following the stunning rise in deaths, state health care leaders are warning Washingtonians to consider carrying at least two doses of naloxone to prevent deaths from opioid overdose.

If you are concerned about fentanyl, here are a few safety tips from the Washington State Department of Health:

• Carry naloxone if you or a loved one are using opioids. Naloxone, commonly sold as Narcan, is an effective opioid poisoning reversal medication. Narcan can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription, and is often offered for free at community-based organizations. You can find more information on Naloxone online.
• Test suspicious pills for fentanyl. The Tacoma Needle Exchange offers free fentanyl testing strips, as do many other community support groups.
• Know the signs of overdose. They include blue, or ashy white lips, blue fingernails, struggling to breathe or no breathing, and being unresponsive to external stimuli. The DOH offers overdose education and tips on its website.
• Consider addiction treatment. Buprenorphine and methadone treatment have been shown effective to treat opioid use disorder, the DOH said, and can cut the risk of a fatal opioid overdose in half, reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Support can be found online via the Washington Recovery Helpline MOUD Locator, or by calling 1-866-789-1511.