Facing Fentanyl Together events provide opportunity for collaboration

26 events took place at the same time on the same day

Community members, state and local agencies, tribes and business partners came together across Washington on Sept. 20 to raise awareness about the fentanyl crisis.

Facing Fentanyl Together event at the Wenatchee Community Services Office in Chelan County.

The Department of Social and Health Services led the effort to create Facing Fentanyl Together, but the events were planned and hosted by Local Planning Areas. LPAs are partnerships that connect, coordinate, communicate and plan activities and projects together so people across Washington can succeed.

Community members attend a Facing Fentanyl Together event at WorkSource Auburn.

Activities and resources differed by location, but included information on how to recognize an overdose and use Narcan, educational presentations and the opportunity to learn from those who have lived experience related to fentanyl use.

A panel discussion at the Facing Fentanyl Together event at Skagit Valley College.

“These events were a great opportunity to bring people together and make a huge impact for the state of Washington,” DSHS LPA Program Manager Marcy Jordan says. “We’re letting people know that they’re not on their own, that we’re here with them and that we really want to find avenues to help people get the treatment they need.”

In all, at least 265 partners joined together to help the community learn and get resources about fentanyl so they are prepared to respond to their needs or the needs of a loved one.

Partners from the Clark County Facing Fentanyl Together event shared information including housing and job resources, and handed out Narcan to the community.