Submitted by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
The opioid epidemic is a national issue with few easy answers. Overdoses impact people and the community in many ways, with ripple effects that can last a lifetime. Locally, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (TCPHSS) facilitates the Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force. As part of this work, the Task Force will be hosting two events to remember International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). IOAD is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose. It is a day to remember those who have been lost to fatal overdose, recognize those who have been rescued from or responded during an overdose, increase awareness of naloxone, reduce stigma, and acknowledge the grief of those who have been impacted by overdose.
This year on Friday, August 23, 2024, there will be an IOAD event for pregnant and parenting people, including families created by birth, marriage, kinship, fostering, guardianship, adoption, and families who are reunifying. This event will be held at Harbor House on Percival Landing in downtown Olympia from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. There will be resources, community connections and support, naloxone distribution, and overdose response training.
On Friday, August 30 there will be an IOAD Memorial Walk and Resource Fair at Heritage Park in downtown Olympia from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Memorial walk will be from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. and community agencies will be present for a resource fair from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. TCPHSS will offer naloxone training, information about how to access medications for Opioid Use Disorder, information on safe medication and disposal, and a memorial table to remember those who have been lost to fatal overdose. All are welcome.
Opioids in Thurston County
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services reports that the health impacts of opioids on the community are significant. In June 2018, the epidemic was declared a public health crisis in Thurston County by the Thurston County Board of Health. This led to the creation of the Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force, which works to monitor and facilitate changes to their ongoing response and stay up-to-date to make changes to the Thurston County Opioid Response Plan as needed. The Response Plan is updated annually to account for the community’s changing environment and the changing landscape of the drug supply.
The Response Plan uses a community approach that emphasizes advancing equity, reducing stigma, eliminating barriers, and creating opportunities. The Response Plan has strategies within five action areas: Prevention, Treatment, Overdose, and Pregnant and Parenting. Implementation of the Response Plan includes a focus on priority populations who have been disproportionately impacted by substance use and/or overdose, as well as those who face systemic barriers or disparities.
Though it is used by the healthcare industry, fentanyl is also available in an unregulated/illicit form. Illicit fentanyl comes in powder, rock, or pill form and can be mixed with other drugs. Because of its potency and ability to be mixed with other drugs, it is often involved in overdoses. Many of the overdoses in Thurston County are attributed to illicit fentanyl, which makes it increasingly important for everyone to carry naloxone and know how to respond to an overdose to save a life.
What to Do if you Suspect an Opioid Overdose
If you suspect someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, the first step is to check for a response. See if you can get the person to respond using a loud voice or by tapping them. If there is no response, then rub your knuckles across their sternum. If there is no response, call 911 and let the operator know where you are and that someone is not breathing or is unconscious. Administer naloxone if you have it and follow directions from the 911 operator. If the individual wakes up and starts breathing, stay with them. Encourage them to obtain follow-up medical care.
Naloxone, often known by the brand-name Narcan, is a life-saving medication that reverses an in-progress opioid overdose. Naloxone can be accessed at your local pharmacy without a prescription and can be billed to your insurance, and it is also available for free at many community agencies. For more information on where you can obtain naloxone, visit the Stop Overdose website. By always carrying naloxone, you can reduce response time if you see an opioid overdose and save a life.
Thurston County Opioid Overdose Resources
Local workplaces, agencies, schools, and events can receive Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Training courtesy of the Thurston County Opioid Response Program. To request a free training, visit the Thurston County website.
Want to learn more about the Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force? You can find more information and view the meeting schedule on their website. Ask to be added to the mailing list by contacting Katie Strozyk at katie.strozyk@co.thurston.wa.us.
If you or someone you love is looking for services, visit the Washington State Recovery Helpline website or call 866.789.1511. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And remember, in case of an emergency, dial 911 immediately.
Follow Thurston County Public Health and Social Services on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates, events, news, and the latest research. We’re all in this together and working together is how we’ll succeed.
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