Series of Heroin Forums

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Following increased attention on Snohomish County’s heroin and opioid issues, a series of community forums have been scheduled to provide information and encourage dialogue. Residents and businesses are invited to attend one of four forums scheduled throughout the county:

• Thursday, Sept.15 at 6:30 p.m. at Cavalero Middle School (8220 24th St. SE, Lake Stevens, Wash.)
• Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Orca Room at Tulalip Resort (10200 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip, Wash.)
• Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at Byrnes Performing Arts Center (18821 Crown Ridge Blvd., Arlington, Wash.)
• Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Woodway Hall at Edmonds Community College (20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood, Wash.)

Sponsored by the Snohomish Health District and Snohomish County Human Services, in partnership with the host communities, each forum will include a panel of subject matter experts and time for audience questions. Topics to be covered include a brief history of the epidemic, the physical response to opioids, addiction versus dependence, treatment options, and what is currently being done.

“Whether you want to call this an epidemic or not, what we do know is that there is not one community in Snohomish County that is not touched by heroin and opioid addiction,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer and director of the Snohomish Health District. “All income levels and ages, those highly educated and those with limited educations, urban and rural communities alike—all are affected by heroin and opioid addiction.”

In addition to the forum and resource tables, attendees can stay after to receive a brief training on how to use naloxone—the life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

“The heroin epidemic is causing significant damage across our region, and we have an obligation to help our neighbors,” said Mary Jane Brell-Vujovic, Snohomish County’s Director of Human Services. “Our friends and family members are suffering, and some of the best medicine for our entire community is more knowledge, since more knowledge will guide our efforts to make meaningful change.”

More detailed agendas will be released for each of events as they get closer. Please visit www.snohd.org/heroin for updates.

RESOURCES: Your Best Defense Against Opioid Overdose
Opioid-Related Deaths in Our Community (1995-2014)
Youth Drug Use (2014 Healthy Youth Survey)
Snohomish County Treatment Resources