SPOKANE, Wash. – Mayor Lisa Brown declared a state of emergency in response to the city’s ongoing opioid crisis Tuesday morning. The focus, primarily within the 2nd and Division corridor, which is heavily impacted by poisonous drugs like fentanyl.
“It’s taken the lives of our loved ones and neighbors, it’s impacting our businesses and livelihoods,” Mayor Lisa Brown said.
The Brown Administration is confident this emergency declaration will streamline Spokane’s ability to take several much-needed actions to combat the opioid crisis and to address the needs of the unhoused community.
“And today we’re taking action,” Mayor Brown said. “I am declaring an emergency in response to the opioid crisis in the city of Spokane.”
Just before the mayor announced the state of emergency Tuesday, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to an overdose call, serving as the best example of the distress the city is under.
Poisonous opioids, like fentanyl, have taken over the country, the state, and Spokane.
On Tuesday, Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’berg provided some staggering numbers; throughout the county between 2019 and 2023, overdoses have risen by 83 percent. And within the city to date, overdose calls to Spokane Fire have risen by 33 percent; O’Berg said the majority of those calls stem from the downtown core.
“We know that the area around 2nd and Division is a hotspot, we know that many people experiencing homelessness are battling substance abuse disorder there,” Mayor Brown said. “We know that this population is often preyed upon by people who are dealing these drugs, and we acknowledge that residence, business, and property owners in the area are dealing with the secondary impacts – litter, graffiti, and other problems.”
By declaring an emergency, Mayor Brown said the city will be able to spend more money to directly combat this crisis. From requesting additional supplements of Narcan from the state to an increase in partnerships with non-profits and first responders in Spokane, the mayor is confident there will be effective change.
“In order to do so, we’re entering into a contract with the Empire Health Foundation, to operate our Cannon Street facility as a temporary transition center,” Mayor Brown said.
And for those who are struggling on the streets, community partners will have more funding to assist.
“Using the already approved allocation of opioid settlement funds, consistent care will immediately begin to identify that population and work with them to break the cycle of addiction and trauma,” Mayor Brown said.
“Lives are transformed when people are navigated into proven treatments for opioid use disorder and mental illness. And these treatments are available in Spokane,” Darin Neven, CEO and Medical Director of Consistent Care Services said.
The city is also working closely with local, state, and federal partners to tackle the drug market downtown. Spokane Police already are established in the area, but additional patrols will now be added.
“The downtown area has been particularly hard. The fentanyl crisis in particular is the new face of the opioid epidemic and the death and tragedy that we are witnessing is staggering,” Vanessa Waldref, Eastern Washington District U.S. Attorney said.
Waldref providing a strong stance on facing the issue head-to-head, before these drugs cross over city lines.
“We target the command and control of the cartels, the money launderers, and the violent and heartless individuals who choose to sell this poison,” she said. “Through our law enforcement efforts, we are seeking to hold these criminals responsible for the damage they have caused our communities.”
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but the city’s message from Tuesday is clear; it will happen, if all hands come together.
“We want to make sure those that are preying on our most vulnerable population are being held accountable and those dealing with substance abuse disorder have access to services,” Mayor Brown said.
