It’s not every day that community members can see federal dollars and legislation at work. But across Northwest Washington, thanks to partnerships and conversations between local and federal officials, federal dollars are being used to combat the opioid epidemic.
During a Friday, Oct. 25 celebration of legislation passed at the federal level due to efforts by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), he spoke about other bills he had introduced over the past few months at the urging of Whatcom County, Lummi Nation and other areas of his district.
“Everyone knows someone, a family member, a neighbor, community member, friend, colleague struggling with addiction or had died,” Larsen said.
Although overdose deaths have dropped in the United States by 12%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overdose deaths in Washington are up 10% from May 2023 to the same time in 2024.
Previous federal funds and legislation targeting the opioid crisis have helped jurisdictions across Northwest Washington. Peter Miterko, a community health coordinator in Skagit County, said that funding through a CDC grant has allowed the county to create an online resource for prevention and education about opioid addiction.
State funding also has helped Skagit County provide a mobile needle exchange program that helps health workers build connections with those experiencing substance use disorder, Miterko said.
As part of the package of new bills Larsen has introduced, one will directly impact the efforts Lummi Nation is making to target non-Native drug dealers on tribal land.
“It’s about honoring tribal sovereignty and self-determination,” Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire said. “Our ability to take care of ourselves, that we know how to take care of ourselves, is really important.”
If passed, the PROTECT Act will allow tribal courts to issue search warrants for electronic communication and expand tribal jurisdiction to crimes associated with drug trafficking.
Partnerships between Lummi Nation Police Department and the Whatcom County Gang and Drug Task Force have already seen results recently. Twenty-one people, including four from Whatcom County, were arrested in relation to a drug trafficking ring bust in early October. The ring was linked to supplying fentanyl to four members of the Lummi Nation who died of overdoses within four days in 2023.
Larsen has introduced a bill to secure more funding for drug task forces, like the Whatcom County Gang and Drug Task Force, so they can continue to combat opioid trafficking.
Two other bills include creating workforce employment opportunities for people recovering from substance use disorder and expanding harm reduction initiatives.
Larsen made no promises that any of the four bills could be passed by December when Congress recesses for the winter holiday and a new Congress resumes in January. But he hoped the bills would spur the federal government to do something.
“Working together gives everybody hope that we can address these issues,” he said. “We want to continue to be part of this next year and in subsequent years.”
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
