Chelan County law enforcement and crisis intervention experts credited with reported decrease in drug overdose deaths
- Nic Scott
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Kudos were given to the Chelan-Douglas Drug Task Force and Chelan County Behavioral Health Unit for their part in a downturn in the number of reported drug overdose deaths in Chelan County.
"We've had five that we investigated (since the first of this year) but two of them transported in from out of county, so basically we've had three," said Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris in sharing the newest year-to-date statistics with county commissioners. "I think the drug task force is doing a great job getting a lot of that (illicit drugs) off the street."
Harris reported 37 accidental, fatal overdoses in 2024, a four-year-high. More than half of these accidental deaths were the result of fentanyl.
The impact of fentanyl is likely a much bigger footprint than suggested by the 37 deaths, said Sgt. Chris Foreman of the Chelan County Sheriff's Office and leader of the Columbia River Drug Task Force at a Wenatchee World forum held in January.
The Chelan County Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) staff often are the first to contact individuals suffering from mental illness or substance abuse addiction.
"Mental Health (interventions) were exceptionally high this particular month," said BHU Supervisor Ana Gonzalez in her report on April activities. "We're getting a lot of calls in progress. I think that reflects back to putting the follow-up and all of the long term support services back on the out patient providers . Trying to re-educate individuals to contact those providers rather than 9-1-1."
Out of the 362 referrals made in the month 74% were for mental health services and 22% for both mental health and substance abuse. 9% of those in crisis claimed they were homeless.
Read more on the Chelan County website.