fentanyl

picture of a hand holding a Narcan nasal spray dispenser
March 29, 2023

FDA broadens access to overdose-reversal agent

Narcan, a brand-name prescription nasal spray effective at reversing opioid overdoses, can be sold over the counter, the Food and Drug Administration decided today. Narcan’s active agent is naloxone.  

picture of person smoking drugs in tunnel
March 8, 2022

Syringe program user survey shows ‘stunning’ fentanyl surge

In Washington state, 42% of respondents said they had used the dangerous opioid in the previous 3 months.

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chart illustrating overdose death rates in Washington state
December 8, 2021

State data reveal fentanyl’s fatal role across age groups

Overdose death rates with the drug are similar for those under and over 30 – a break from patterns involving heroin and prescribed opioids. 

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green lights adorn the main entry at Harborview Medical Center
November 17, 2021

Teen opioid use is local focus of Injury Prevention Day

Injury-prevention and addiction specialists at UW Medicine collaborate to produce a web tool for teens and parents. 

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An image of fentanyl capsules, as provided by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.
August 31, 2021

King County fentanyl overdoses spike to record high

As International Overdose Awareness Day dawns on Aug. 31, Washington state's largest county has set a new record for fentanyl-related deaths in one year.

young man holding cell phone and taking medication
August 19, 2021

App did not improve adherence in opioid addiction program

Offering directly observed therapy with a video smartphone app did not improve buprenorphine engagement or outcomes, study finds.

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picture of Harborview Medical Center pharmacist Meredith Holmes holding a box of buprenorphine.
May 25, 2021

Opioid-addiction medication underused in WA, study shows

Opioid users may need multiple care episodes with buprenorphine before their recovery trajectory is established, findings indicate.

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February 5, 2021

Q&A: Fentanyl's growth among overdoses 'stunning'

Addiction researcher Caleb Banta-Green offers context to the troubling spike during COVID-19's emergence, and ideas for combating it.

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picture of fentanyl and other designer drugs seized by U.S. agents in Chicago
May 9, 2018

King County drug overdose deaths continue to rise

Uptick seen in fatal overdoses involving illicit fentanyl, says UW author of annual drug trends report.

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May 10, 2017

At least 70 fentanyl-linked deaths in 2016, state reports

Media contacts:
Washington State Department of Health, Julie Graham, 360.810.1628

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