Today is International Overdose Awareness Day. It’s a day to remember the lives taken by overdose and the devastating impact drug abuse has had on our entire community.
Nearly 200 people die of an overdose every day in the United States. In King County alone, 415 people died last year of an overdose. Helping our friends, family and community members is a key focus for all of us at the Seattle Police Department. Such steps we’re taking is training officers to spot the signs of an overdose, talking openly with the people we encounter daily to make it clear we’re here to help and, finally, ensuring officers have Naloxone, also known as Narcan, on hand to revive someone from an opioid overdose.
Since November, 117 doses of this overdose reversal drug have been issued to our officers. In the coming weeks, 145 additional doses will be divvied up amongst our five precincts.
We want to save lives and be part of a greater solution, which is why we’re joining the University of Washington’s Alcohol & Drug Abuse Institute’s effort on Overdose Awareness Day. Partnering with Public Health – Seattle & King County and the City of Seattle’s Nightlife Business program we have created two videos to educate, inform and, hopefully, make a life-changing difference.
Please watch and share our videos, know parts are graphic and emotional, and take the time to watch the videos from Attorney General Bob Ferguson and others posted on the UW site.