Skip to main content

More people have died from overdoses so far in 2022 than in all of 2021

caption: A photo from the U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah shows fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills collected during an investigation. The drugs are generally foreign-made with a very close chemical makeup to the dangerous opioid.
Enlarge Icon
A photo from the U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah shows fentanyl-laced fake oxycodone pills collected during an investigation. The drugs are generally foreign-made with a very close chemical makeup to the dangerous opioid.
U.S. Attorneys Office for Utah via AP

More people have died of overdoses in King County so far this year than in all of 2021.

Public Health — Seattle & King County says it's recorded an average of 17 overdose deaths per week in 2022. According to the public health department:

"Since 2019, the number of overdose deaths in King County has grown exponentially, jumping by 20% between 2019 and 2020 and 39% between 2020 and 2021. By October 15, 2022, 710 overdose deaths had occurred in King County, surpassing the total number of deaths in 2021."

Fentanyl is being blamed for 70% of all confirmed overdose deaths to date this year. Prior to 2018, that number was below 10%.

RELATED: King County declares fentanyl a public health crisis

The health department also says that the most disproportionately impacted communities in King County are: people experiencing homelessness; American Indian and Alaskan Native and Black residents; and communities in Seattle and South King County.

RELATED: Fentanyl is a great drug for cartels. But those blue pills are killing King County

Why you can trust KUOW

Get Local Stories

Delivered to your inbox daily, weekly, or monthly.

Explore Newsletters