Washington health officials turn to emergency care in fight against opioid epidemic
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Idaho Capital Sun
February 15, 2023
* * * Washington state health officials are turning to emergency care in the fight against the opioid epidemic. The state Department of Health (DOH) has announced a new initiative that will provide emergency medical services (EMS) providers with naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. “EMS providers are often the first to respond to opioid overdoses,” said DOH Secretary John Wiesman. “This initiative will help them save lives and get people the help they need.” The initiative will provide EMS providers with free naloxone kits and training on how to use them. The kits will be distributed to all EMS agencies in the state. “Naloxone is a safe and effective medication that can save lives,” said Dr. Kathy Lofy, state health officer. “This initiative will help us get naloxone into the hands of people who need it most.” The opioid epidemic has claimed the lives of thousands of people in Washington state. In 2021, there were more than 1,200 opioid overdose deaths in the state. “The opioid epidemic is a public health crisis,” said Wiesman. “We need to do everything we can to save lives and help people recover from addiction.” The new initiative is part of the state’s comprehensive plan to address the opioid epidemic. The plan includes a focus on prevention, treatment, and recovery. “We are committed to fighting the opioid epidemic and saving lives,” said Wiesman. “This initiative is an important step in that fight.”WASHINGTON HEALTH OFFICIALS TURN TO EMERGENCY CARE IN FIGHT AGAINST OPIOID EPIDEMIC Spokane, Wash. — As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the country, health officials in Washington state are turning to emergency care as a way to combat the crisis. In Spokane, the city’s largest hospital, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, has opened a new emergency department specifically designed to treat patients with opioid overdoses. The unit, which opened in January, is staffed by a team of doctors, nurses, and social workers who are specially trained to care for patients with opioid use disorder. “We’re really trying to create a safe and welcoming environment for people who are struggling with opioid addiction,” said Dr. Michael Stone, the medical director of the new unit. “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get the help they need.” The unit has been busy since it opened. In the first month of operation, the unit treated more than 100 patients who had overdosed on opioids. “We’re seeing a lot of people who are coming in with overdoses, and we’re also seeing a lot of people who are coming in for help with their addiction,” Stone said. “We’re really trying to provide a comprehensive approach to care.” In addition to providing medical care, the unit also offers social services to patients, such as counseling and referral to treatment programs. “We know that addiction is a complex issue, and we want to make sure that we’re addressing all of the factors that contribute to it,” Stone said. “We’re really trying to provide a holistic approach to care.” The new unit is part of a larger effort by Washington state to address the opioid epidemic. In 2017, the state legislature passed a bill that expanded access to naloxone, a life-saving overdose reversal drug. The state has also increased funding for addiction treatment programs. “We’re really trying to take a comprehensive approach to this crisis,” said Dr. Kathy Lofy, the state’s health officer. “We’re working to prevent overdoses, we’re working to expand access to treatment, and we’re working to reduce the stigma associated with addiction.” The opioid epidemic is a serious problem, but it is one that can be solved. By working together, we can save lives and help people get the help they need.
