Pierce County
Office of the County Council

930 Tacoma Avenue South. Room 1046
Tacoma, Washington 98402-2176

(253) 798-3635

FAX (253) 798?7509

1 -800-992-2456


August 8, 2017

Governor Jay Inslee
Of?ce of the Governor
PO. Box 40002

Olympia, WA, 98504-0002

Dear Governor Inslee:

In the United States, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has characterized opioid abuse as a public
health epidemic. Pierce County is not immune from this and has been disproportionately burdened. Opioid
sales and abuse are causing an increase in overdoses, deaths and a rise in crime. Therefore, the undersigned
believe and declare Pierce County in a State of Opioid Crisis.

Pierce County suffers these impacts:
0 From 2011 to 2015, Pierce County experienced 10.2 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 residents,
compared to the state average of 9.8.
Treatment admissions for prescription opioids and heroin have more than doubled since 2007.
First time admissions for treatment of any opioid has spiked amongst the 18 to 29 year-old
demographic, increasing from 18% of total ?rst time admissions in 2002 to 58% in 2015.
0 Based on 2015 syringe exchange data, at least 2,137 drug users currently inject opioids.

The current state of affairs is unacceptable. To protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Pierce

County, action must be taken to combat this epidemic. A Pierce County opioid task force is currently
developing an action plan focusing on prevention and education, treatment, and a coordinated law enforcement

response. Our community is actively engaged.

This declaration of crisis is an important step in addressing this emergency.

Sincerely, 
7776 .

   
  

Dan Roach Pam Roach Jim McCune onni Ladenburg
District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4

. I 
Rick Talbert Derek Yo ng

 

District 5 District 7