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People working to reduce overdoses in Snohomish County are thrilled by the July 29 launch of the long-awaited Mobile Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Clinic.
This initiative aims to bring vital opioid treatment and recovery support to rural and underserved communities, including access to methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol, along with on-site counseling and care coordination. The clinic currently provides services by appointment in Gold Bar, and a second location is in the works in north Snohomish County, likely along the Highway 530 corridor. The mobile clinic transforms opioid settlement funds into treatment and support, and makes those service available directly to the people in the places where they are needed most.
Community members, partners, and public officials gathered at the Evergreen State Fair Park July 29 to showcase the new Mobile MOUD Clinic. The launch drew media attention, including feature stories on KING5 and in the Everett Daily Herald.
Special thanks to Lynnwood Comprehensive Treatment Center, which operates the clinic. Get in touch or make an appointment: 425-672-7293.
 Local and state elected officials, Snohomish County Human Services and Health Department staff, and clinic staff from Lynnwood Comprehensive Treatment Center pose in front of the new mobile clinic.
 Guests talk with Snohomish County and clinic staff about the treatment and services offered by the new mobile unit.
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 Click the image above to access Lynnwood Comprehensive Treatment Center online.
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Starting in 2024, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel from three agencies in Snohomish County incorporated buprenorphine into the tools they use when responding to help someone experiencing an opioid overdose. If the person is willing, first responders administer buprenorphine to help ease opioid withdrawal symptoms and schedule follow up to better connect patients with recovery resources.
A recent analysis of a year-long pilot program reached this conclusion:
“Buprenorphine consistently reduced withdrawal severity for patients in the field that otherwise would not have rapid access to this medication. The program shows promise in relieving immediate withdrawal symptoms and in supporting long-term recovery through treatment referrals. Data from the program will continue to be evaluated over time to understand impacts on long-term recovery and reducing mortality.”
More: https://snohomishoverdoseprevention.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Data-Brief_Buprenorphine_Final.pdf
 Click image above to read as .pdf.
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The Snohomish County Health Department on July 3, 2025, issued a health advisory regarding a rise in fatal overdoses in Snohomish County involving fentanyl and cocaine. The advisory urged health care providers to be aware that the number of overdose deaths involving both fentanyl and cocaine here have increased to their highest levels on record in the first months of 2025.
“The illicit drug supply is unregulated and therefore constantly changing, and rocks and powders containing fentanyl are visually identical to similar rock and powder substances such as cocaine. Individuals are not able to see, taste, or smell the difference – the only way to know if a drug contains fentanyl is to test,” the advisory said.
It urged care givers to provide guidance when engaging with individuals who use stimulants, particularly cocaine, on the use of fentanyl test trips and/or community drug-checking programs, and to encourage a range of harm-reduction strategies.
Read the full advisory: https://www.snohd.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=866
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Washington state could receive more than $16 million as part of $720 million in nationwide settlements announced in July involving eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis.
Based on the overwhelming participation by attorneys general across the country, all eight defendants have agreed to proceed with a sign-on period for local governments. Of the funds coming to Washington state, half will go to state government and the other half will be distributed among local governments for use in fighting opioid abuse. The final amount will be determined by the number of eligible Washington counties and cities that join the settlements as well as other conditions in the settlements, Washington’s Attorney General said in a press release.
The eight defendants that reached settlements included: Mylan (now part of Viatris), Hikma, Amneal, Apotex, Indivior, Sun, Alvogen, and Zydus.
In addition to abatement payments, several of the settlements allow states to receive free pharmaceutical products or cash in lieu of such products. All the companies have agreed to restrictions on their ability to engage in business related to opioid products.
Washington state has secured $1.3 billion through opioid settlements since 2022. While these numbers seem large, Snohomish County has only received about $10.3 million so far, said Kari Bray, communications director for the Snohomish County Executive Office.
“While you may see a large number attributed to a settlement,” Bray told the Everett Daily Herald, “the annual amount we receive sometimes is much smaller when, for example, a payout occurs over 10 to 15 years.”
Read the full press release from the state attorney general.
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Customers at Fred Meyer’s 60 pharmacies in Washington now have access to free locking bags to more safely store their prescription medications. The Washington State Health Care Authority is collaborating with the retailer to provide the bags as part of an ongoing effort to help prevent opioid misuse and overdose deaths in Washington’s communities.
Fred Meyer is the first major pharmacy chain to participate in the Lock Up Your Meds safe storage program, which is among the only of its kind in the nation.
Read the full press release.
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An article in Governing magazine is attracting attention among people working here to reduce overdose deaths. “The forces finally diving down deaths from overdose” examines closely the reasons 2024 saw significant declines in drug-related mortality across the U.S.
“What accounts for it? The problem is too complex, and the decrease too new, for a single definitive answer. But there are many important factors,” Governing’s Carl Smith writes.
Read the full report.
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Mark your calendars for the ninth annual Snohomish County International Overdose Awareness Day event. As in years past, the gathering will feature a candlelight vigil, resource fair and messages of hope and resilience.
 Click image for more information.
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