Drafter
Clerk 08/02/2023
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A MOTION requesting the executive to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl by expanding fentanyl awareness campaigns in King County.
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WHEREAS, according to the King County medical examiner's office data published by public health - Seattle & King County on the King County overdose dashboard, one thousand one overdose deaths occurred in King County in 2022, a forty-one percent increase from the previous year. Of those, eight hundred two people died due to opioids, including seven hundred deaths involving fentanyl, and
WHEREAS, according to the King County medical examiner's office data, from 2019 through 2022 there was a more than five-hundred-percent increase in fentanyl overdoses in King County, and
WHEREAS, on June 26, 2023, the Seattle Times reported that school districts in the Seattle area are behind in creating and adopting districtwide fentanyl specific curriculum in their classrooms, and
WHEREAS, through the mental illness and drug dependency fund, King County has expanded partnerships with community-based organizations and will be working with them together to develop programs directed to meet the needs of people disproportionately impacted by substance use disorders, and
WHEREAS, public health - Seattle & King County created the Laced and Lethal fentanyl awareness campaign and partner toolkit to educate the public about the harms of fentanyl use and what to do is someone is experiencing an overdose, and
WHEREAS, in 2022, King County distributed over thirteen thousand naloxone kits, which have the life-saving overdose reversal medication. King County is expanding distribution of naloxone to community organizations and providers most connected with vulnerable populations, and
WHEREAS, the King County council passed Motion 15888 that requested the executive to consider programs and services that provide or expand access to substance use disorder supports for children and youth, including, but not limited to, awareness campaigns on substance use;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A.1. The council requests the executive to create fentanyl awareness campaign toolkit designed for organizations, including school districts, foodbanks, community centers, organizations that engage with the youth of King County, social service organizations, previously established contractors with King County, and other entities that serve the residents of King County.
2. The toolkit should include, but not be limited to:
a. fentanyl overdose prevention materials developed by King County and other organizations, such as Laced and Lethal and Talk Even If. The materials should include age-appropriate posters and flyers for use by the organizations described in subsection A.1. of this motion;
b. a list of opioid treatment facilities and support groups in King County;
c. information about King County's free naloxone program, including ways that residents of King County can access naloxone;
d. information on ways people can access fentanyl testing strips in King County;
e. draft forty-five-minute to one hour, age-appropriate lesson plans for teachers to talk to their students at risk of exposure to fentanyl about the dangers of fentanyl; and
f. ways to access in-person and virtual trainings, including, but not limited to, overdose intervention trainings.
B. The council requests the executive to create a plan to distribute the materials described in subsection A. of this motion through the Best Starts for Kids program within the King County department of community and human services, utilizing networks and partnerships already established by King County.
C. The executive should electronically transmit the materials described in subsections A. and B. of this motion, and a motion acknowledging receipt of the materials, no later than January 1, 2024, with the clerk of the council, who shall retain an electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff, and the lead staff for the law, justice, health and human services committee, or its successor.
D. The executive should present the materials described in subsections A. and B.
of this motion to the law, justice, health and human services committee, or its successor, no later than March 31, 2024.