SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION & RESPONSE
The use of drugs and alcohol can have a profound effect on a person’s health and wellbeing and can impact their family and community. Addiction can happen to anyone — one in seven Americans report having a substance use disorder.
FINDING HELP FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
Recovery from substance use is possible for everyone and support is available.
- You can find treatment options and information by calling the Washington Recovery Helpline at 1-866-789-1511 or by visiting the Salish Behavioral Health website.
- If you or a loved one are experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 or call 1-888-910-0416. These hotlines are available 24 hours a day. If someone is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
PREVENTING DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS
Deaths related to drug overdose have increased in Kitsap County and nationwide in recent years. In 2022, 73 Kitsap County residents died from drug overdose. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl remain a leading contributor to overdose deaths. View more local data.
You can help prevent overdose deaths:
- If you use drugs: Assume any pill or powder that is not from a pharmacy could contain fentanyl. Avoid using drugs alone. If you do use alone, call 1-800-484-3731 (Never Use Alone).
- Learn the signs of an opioid overdose. Signs include inability to wake up; slow or no breathing; and blue, gray, or ashy skin, lips or fingernails.
- Learn more about the signs of overdose and overdose prevention from Friends for Life campaign.
- Naloxone (also called Narcan) is a safe and simple medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. People who spend time with people at risk for overdose should keep naloxone on hand.
- Anyone can get naloxone at a pharmacy without a prescription. Call ahead to check availability.
- You can have naloxone mailed to your home for free if you are not able to get naloxone from a pharmacy.
- Contact Kitsap Public Health at 360-728-2235 or cdp@kitsappublichealth.org for naloxone or naloxone trainings.
- Or contact Ostrich Bay Exchange by phone or text at 253-470-6534.
- Dispose of unwanted or expired medications using a medication return service.
IF SOMEONE MIGHT BE OVERDOSING:
- Evaluate for signs of an overdose
- Try to wake them by shaking and shouting their name
- Call 911
- Give naloxone (more than one dose could be needed; wait three minutes between doses)
- Start rescue breathing
- Stay with the person until help arrives
- Find detailed response steps here
It's safe to give help:
- The risk of overdosing from touching fentanyl or inhaling dust containing fentanyl is extremely low.
- Under the Good Samaritan Overdose law (RCW 69.50.315), neither the victim nor person assisting with an overdose can be prosecuted for drug possession.
MORE RESOURCES:
- CDC pages on: Opioids | Alcohol use
- Washington State Department of Health Opioids Page
- Stopoverdose.org — Substance use resources for Washington state
- Friends for Life — Helping people protect their friends from opioid overdose
SUBSTANCE USE DATA
See data from the Washington State Department of Health
See data from Kitsap Public Health district:
- Healthy Youth Survey 2018, Selected Substance Use Results
- Healthy Youth Survey 2018, Marijuana Use Presentation
- Drug-Related Hospitalization Rate
- Drug-Related Mortality Rate
- Opioid Data for Kitsap League of Women Voters Opioid Forum
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Opioid Overdose Quarterly Surveillance Report
- Opioid Hospitalization Rate
- Opioid Mortality Rate
- Alcohol-related Mortality Rate
- Student Smoking
- Adult Smoking
- Adult Binge Drinking
- Student Vaping
- Student Marijuana Use
- Student Alcohol Use
- Student Binge Drinking