SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. – Spokane County continues to grapple with the ongoing opioid epidemic, with overdose deaths reaching unprecedented levels. During a briefing on Tuesday, Medical Examiner Dr. Veena Singh shared alarming data with county commissioners.
Dr. Singh stated, “We’re still trending upward, although the curve is somewhat flattening, we’re still on the upswing in the first quarter of 2025.”
The data indicates that overdose deaths in Spokane are higher than ever, surpassing Seattle per capita in 2024.
Josh Pierce, Community Health Program Manager, highlighted the demographic differences between the two cities.
“The population in Seattle is quite a bit larger than Spokane. So you’re seeing a little bit of a different population mix,” Pierce explained. Pierce also emphasized the importance of having Narcan available at home, as most overdoses in Spokane occur there. “Which is why it’s so important to have Narcan available and readily with you, even at home,” he said.
The presence of Narcan can save lives, as Pierce noted, “there’s actually more usage of Narcan prior to EMS arriving on scene.”
Addressing the broader challenge, Pierce acknowledged the need for a community-wide effort to combat drug addiction.
“But it goes beyond Spokane Regional Health District and what they’re doing. It’s also really a community wide effort. There’s many coalitions and groups and other entities that are working in Spokane kind to have the same positive effect on decreasing overdose, death and overdose injury,” he added.
Health experts stress that Narcan is essential not just for households with individuals struggling with addiction. It is also crucial for homes with prescribed opioids, as having Narcan on hand could be lifesaving if a child accidentally accesses the medication.
