Health In 2023 fentanyl overdoses ravaged the U.S. and fueled a new culture war fight Fentanyl fueled unprecedented carnage with 112,000 fatal overdoses. The nation is increasingly divided over how to respond. Brian Mann Aneri Pattani - Kaiser Health News Martha Bebinger Play AudioListen 8 mins
Law & Courts Envelopes with fentanyl or other substances were sent to several elections offices The letters were sent to elections offices in the presidential battlegrounds of Georgia and Nevada, as well as California, Oregon and Washington, with some being intercepted before they arrived. The Associated Press
2023 set to be deadliest year yet for overdoses in King County King County is headed towards a somber milestone. 2023 is slated to become the deadliest on record for overdoses in the county. Kate Walters
From needles to pipes. Seattle outreach adapts to morphing drug crisis As overdose deaths continue to rise, harm reduction services could be a key part of curbing the deadly impact of the fentanyl crisis in Washington state. These are programs which aim to meet people using drugs where they are with no judgment and keep them alive and as healthy as possible. Kate Walters Play AudioListen 6 mins
Education Why does the US drug czar think WA schools should stock Narcan like fire extinguishers? The United States’ top drug control official, Dr. Rahul Gupta, is in Washington state this week to sound the alarm on the threat of fentanyl — especially for kids this school year. Sami West Play AudioListen 2 mins
National Who is sneaking fentanyl across the southern border? Hint: it's not the migrants We know that illicit fentanyl is flowing into the U.S. from Mexico. Yet we rarely hear from the couriers who smuggle most of it through legal ports of entry. This is one of their stories. Joel Rose Play AudioListen 7 mins
Health UW researcher says there's a simple way to help people addicted to fentanyl Addiction researchers say the FDA should revisit their prescribing guidelines for buprenorphine, one of the main medications that can help people addicted to fentanyl or other opioids by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Eilís O'Neill Play AudioListen 2 mins
National Deaths from xylazine are on the rise. The White House has a new plan to tackle it Deaths from overdoses of Xylazine-laced fentanyl have surged. The White House drug czar says he's marshalling efforts on testing, tracking, treatment, and stopping the spread. Deepa Shivaram
Health Two Everett seniors in critical condition after fentanyl overdose KUOW's Casey Martin reports the overdoses are part of a growing trend in the area. Casey Martin Play AudioListen 1 min
