Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force Investigation arrests two men in north Seattle on July 30, 2026

The bus is on Greenwood. Police and vehicles fill N 140th
Photo by Rachel Shaver

On July 30, 2026 neighbors on N 140th Street next to Greenwood in north Seattle (200 blk of N 140th S) were alarmed when their street was blocked off and full of police with rifles.

Photo by Rachel Shaver

Residents questioned the police and discovered they were part of the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF). 

They were carrying out a drug investigation search warrant operation on the street, which is in north Seattle near the Shoreline border at 145th. 

SRDTF had assistance from the Snohomish County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF).  

 

The result of the operation was the booking of a 22-year-old man at the SnoCo Jail on drug trafficking charges. A second felony warrant arrest on another male at King Co. Jail. 

SRDTF seized kilo amounts of multiple different types of drugs that are still being processed and identified, along with a large amount of cash and a couple of firearms. 

This remains an active investigation.

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Purdue/Sackler opioid settlement takes effect, delivering $105.6 million to Washington state and local governments

Attorney General Nick Brown announced that a $7.4 billion multistate settlement reached with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, and its owners, the Sackler family, has become legally effective.

The settlement will deliver $105.6 million split between Washington state and 125 cities and counties, with most coming over the next three years. The state will receive 50% and the local governments will receive shares of the rest, based on previously agreed percentages.

The settlement caps nearly a decade of work by attorneys general from across the country in pursuing investigations and litigation over Purdue’s and the Sacklers’ role in fueling the opioid crisis. The AGs launched a multistate investigation of Purdue in 2016, and Washington sued Purdue in 2017.

“The powerful opioids that Purdue and the Sacklers so aggressively marketed stole the lives of loved ones across Washington, devastating families,” Brown said.

“Now, through the persistence by our office and AGs across the country, the profits accumulated by the Sacklers and Purdue will pay for treatment centers, support first responders, and help communities across our state rebuild from the opioid crisis.”

After Purdue filed bankruptcy in September 2019 in light of massive litigation against the company, the attorneys general have taken a lead role in the bankruptcy proceedings, including negotiating a new settlement after the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 invalidated provisions in a prior settlement.

Fifty-five attorneys general representing all eligible U.S. states and territories previously signed onto the settlement. It resolves litigation against Purdue and the Sacklers for producing and aggressively marketing opioids in the United States, fueling the largest drug crisis in the country’s history.

The settlement permanently bars the Sacklers from selling opioids in the U.S. and delivers funds for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery to communities across the country over the next 15 years.

Most settlement funds will be distributed in the first three years. The Sacklers are paying more than $1.5 billion today, followed by approximately an additional $500 million in May 2027, $500 million in May 2028, and $400 million in May 2029. Additionally, Purdue is paying approximately $900 million today.

With this settlement, Washington has now secured a total of more than $1.3 billion in opioid settlement funds.

The settlement also means that Purdue’s manufacturing operations transfer effective today to Knoa Pharma LLC, which will be overseen by a board of directors who had no connection to Purdue. The settlement prevents Knoa from marketing opioids and provides for an independent monitor to ensure it provides these medicines in the safest possible manner that limits the risk of diversion.

The settlement also requires Purdue and the Sacklers to make public more than 30 million documents related to their opioid business.

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Shoreline Fire: Clean Out Medicine Cabinet Day

     Shoreline Police Station 17500 Midvale Ave N 98133

Clean Out Medicine Cabinet Day

We often tend to hold onto things longer than we should — and a great example is expired or no longer needed prescription medication.

Please don’t throw these away in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Improper disposal can be harmful to others and the environment.

Instead, take advantage of FREE, safe disposal options at designated locations in our community.
See the locations listed in the flyer to properly dispose of your medications.

Taking a few minutes to clean out your medicine cabinet can help keep your home and community safe.
Stay safe and dispose responsibly!

--Shoreline Fire

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Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force arrests 63-year-old Mountlake Terrace man on multiple charges

Photo courtesy Snohomish County Sheriff's Office

Last week, the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF), in partnership with the Everett Police Department’s Anti-Crime Team (ACT), arrested a 63-year-old Mountlake Terrace man on multiple charges, including possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and suboxone strips.

The arrest followed an investigation that began in mid-2025. 

As part of the operation, detectives executed two search warrants, one at a residence in the 4500 block of 229th Place SW in Mountlake Terrace, and another in the 2700 block of NE 125th Street in Seattle.

During the two residential search warrants, detectives seized:

• Fentanyl powder: 923 grams (over 2 pounds)
• Fentanyl pills (“blues”): 312.9 grams
• Methamphetamine: 962.4 grams (over 2 pounds)
• Suboxone strips: 1,326.5 grams (hundreds of individual strips)
• Cash: $2,606

This investigation highlights the strength of collaboration between the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force and the Everett Police Department in removing dangerous drugs from the community and holding mid-level drug traffickers accountable in Snohomish County.

This remains an active investigation.

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Drug dealer arrested in Shoreline

Bad Day for a Drug Dealer in Shoreline....

Outstanding job by our Special Emphasis Team! They concluded a long-term investigation of an individual distributing illegal narcotics in our community. 

Photo courtesy KCSO

The following drugs were seized:

• 1940 Xanax pills
• 59 grams of Methamphetamine pills
• 198 grams Crystal Meth
• 487 doses of Suboxone
• 49 M30 pills
• 8 grams of Fentanyl powder
• 22 cartridges of DM
• 19 grams of MDMA
• 1 gram of Ketamine
• 2 grams of LSD
• 15 tablets of SOMA
• 1 pound of Marijuana
• 5 firearms, including a confirmed stolen M-16 rifle, 3-D printed handgun receivers
• Stolen IDs and passports for 14 different persons
• City of Shoreline street sign
• $17,685.00 Cash

We would like to thank Shoreline Criminal Investigation Division (CID), Shoreline Patrol, our professional staff, and the Lake Forest Park PD K-9 unit for all their assistance.

 
Two suspects were booked for Investigation and charged under the Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (VUCSA) and Firearm Violations.

--Shoreline Police (King County Sheriff's Department)

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AG Brown announces settlements in ongoing drug price-fixing conspiracy case

Washingtonians who paid for certain generic prescription drugs in the U.S. between May 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019, could be eligible for money

Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of 48 states and territories today announced they have won $17.85 million in settlements with Lannett Company, Inc. (“Lannett”) and Bausch Health US, LLC and Bausch Health Americas, Inc. (“Bausch”), to resolve allegations that both companies engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs.

These agreements are part of a larger antitrust enforcement action against dozens of companies that conspired to manipulate drug prices. 

As a result of this conspiracy, consumers had to pay more than 10 times as much for some drugs, ranging from antibiotic ointment to cancer treatments.

As part of today’s agreements, Lannett and Bausch have agreed to cooperate in the ongoing multistate litigations against 30 corporate defendants and 25 individual executives. Both companies have further agreed to make internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.

“It’s hard to imagine more despicable corporate behavior than conspiring to raise the price of medicine for people who need it,” Brown said.

“We will continue holding these wrongdoers accountable and secure restitution for Washington consumers and businesses.”

Washingtonians who purchased one or more of the generic prescription drugs at issue in the states’ cases between May 2009 and December 2019 may be eligible for compensation. Impacted customers can call 1-866-290-0182 (Toll-Free), email info@AGGenericDrugs.com or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.comto determine their eligibility.

Washington and Idaho were the only states in the coalition which also secured restitution for businesses impacted by this conspiracy. 

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A win for Quinn - drug bust in Burien arrests distributor operating through much of King county

Another win for Quinn, the Drug Officer
Photo courtesy KCSO

Acting on a tip from Burien Police, last month the King County Sheriff's Office Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team was able to ID a drug trafficker selling to customers at the El Pique Mexican Restaurant in Burien.

Their investigation found he was distributing across several other cities, including Woodinville, SeaTac, Shoreline, Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond.

They arrested him and booked him for possession to distribute and possession of a stolen firearm. 

2020 Mustang used in drug trafficking
Photo courtesy KCSO

Here’s what Quinn and company found at his Bellevue Apartment.

• 1.07 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine
• More than $51,000 in drug proceeds
• A stolen 9mm handgun
• A 2020 Mustang used in drug trafficking

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Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, and Lynnwood accept opioid settlement payouts

By Oliver J. Moffat

As Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, and Lynnwood accept opioid epidemic payouts, how much each city receives and how the funds will be spent varies widely.

Since 2019, annual opioid deaths in King County nearly tripled, reaching a peak of 854 in 2023. Although opioid deaths decreased slightly in 2024, State Representative Lauren Davis said the decline was most likely because the population of people “with severe opioid use disorder is essentially dying off.”

A map from the King County overdose data dashboard shows the per-capita rate of fatal overdoses
 in the county by region. The majority of overdose deaths occurred in Seattle and South King County.

Most King County overdose deaths occurred in Seattle and South King County, with North and East King County having a much lower opioid death rate.

Local governments are getting money from lawsuits against companies accused of fueling the opioid epidemic. 

Data compiled from the One Washington Memorandum of Understanding 
shows the percent share of opioid settlement funds cities in
North King and South Snohomish County will receive varies widely. 

So far, Washington state expects to receive more than $1.1 billion in opioid settlement funds (with some estimates as high as $1.6 billion). Half the funds will go to the state, and the other half will be divided between cities and counties.

Some cities in the region will be receiving much more than others. Lynnwood could get almost $4.5 million, while Kenmore will only receive a little over $100,000, for example.

The opioid settlement funds must be spent on programs that address the opioid crisis, like addiction treatment, harm reduction, recovery, prevention, helping people in the criminal justice system, and data collection and research. Cities in King County must report how they spend funds to the Opioid Abatement Council (OAC).

A graph from the King County overdose data dashboard shows the rate of fatal overdoses by county region.
The majority of overdose deaths occurred in Seattle and South King County.

The City of Bothell expects to receive over $3 million in opioid settlement funds over the next 17 years and has already received $679,874 as of May. Bothell says the funds will be spent to contract with service providers to connect members of the community with behavioral health services. 

Some funds will go to Bothell’s Police and Fire Departments to cover expenses related to the opioid epidemic. The city will get people accused of low-level crimes therapeutic services through pre-trial diversion and the city’s Community Court. And some funds will support education programs to reduce drug use on school and college campuses.

By far, Lynnwood will receive the largest portion of the funds in the North King and South Snohomish County region. Lynnwood will get about 0.77% of the local-government settlement funds, which could total nearly $4.5 million paid out over the next 17 years. 

The Lynnwood city council has recently debated how best to spend those funds. Edmonds will receive 0.31% of the local-government funds, and Mountlake Terrace will get about 0.21%.

The city of Lake Forest Park said they expect to receive about $304,097.89 over the next 15 years from the opioid settlements. So far, LFP has allocated $4,771 for the police department to provide Narcan and training to all city employees. 

LFP also budgeted $20,000 for a contract with Hopestream Community, a local non-profit that provides support services to parents whose children have substance use disorders.

The City of Shoreline will receive only 0.04% of the local-government funds and expects to receive about $252,239.22 over the lifetime of the opioid settlements, lasting up to 15 years. 

Shoreline has not publicly reported an itemized plan for how it will spend the funds but has told the city council, “The City is already administering the funds it has received from the prior settlements and will include these funds in that amount.”

The Kenmore City Council has approved participation in opioid settlement agreements. But Kenmore will only receive a 0.02% share of the local-government funds— likely amounting to a little more than $100,000 over the next 17 years. Woodinville also will only receive about a 0.02% share.

Correction: Kenmore and Woodinville will receive about 0.02% of the funds.

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Easy access to free overdose-reversal medication saves lives

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has launched an online tool to help residents quickly locate free naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl. 

Preliminary data from 2024 show that more than 3,100 people in Washington state died from drug overdoses, with opioids involved in 79% of those cases.

The Naloxone Finder is now hosted on the DOH website, making it easy for people to locate free naloxone. A similar tool was developed in 2018 by the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington as part of StopOverdose.org. 

DOH thanks ADAI for its leadership in creating and maintaining the original tool and for its continued partnership during the transition.

Naloxone, also known by the brand name NARCAN®, is a medication that quickly reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of the drug and restoring normal breathing—often within minutes. 

This includes overdoses involving fentanyl. Naloxone is available as an injection or nasal spray and is easy to use.

Anyone can give naloxone—no special training is needed.

It’s safe to use even when there’s no overdose, and can be given to people of all ages, including children and even pets.

“We are grateful to the community and public organizations across the state that continue to offer free naloxone and help keep this resource up to date,” said Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MD, MPH, State Health Officer.

“The Naloxone Finder is especially valuable to those who should carry it: people who use opioids and those they interact with, including their friends, family, and loved ones.”

The Naloxone Finder provides information from organizations that offer free naloxone to the public, along with instructions for use and other helpful resources. 

Naloxone is also available without a prescription at pharmacies and major retailers across the state. DOH encourages individuals to use their health insurance or purchase naloxone if they are able, as free supplies are limited and intended for those without other access.

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis, DOH has launched comprehensive overdose prevention campaigns to raise awareness and educate the public on how to stay safe and protect their loved ones.

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AG Brown: Washington will receive as much as $105 million from settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family

SEATTLE – Attorney General Nick Brown has announced that all 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, agreed to sign on to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family.

This settlement in principle is the nation’s largest to date with individuals responsible for the opioid crisis. 

The Attorney General’s Office estimates Washington state and its local governments will receive as much as $105.6 million from this settlement over the next 15 years.

Brown said. “Today’s agreement means even more money will flow to fund treatment centers, support first responders, and improve Washingtonians’ lives. We must do more to help communities on the frontlines of the opioid crisis and today’s settlement will do exactly that.”

Under the Sacklers’ ownership, Purdue made and aggressively marketed opioid products for decades, fueling the largest drug crisis in the nation’s history. The settlement ends the Sacklers’ control of Purdue and their ability to sell opioids in the U.S. 

Communities across the state will directly receive funds over the next 15 years to support addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery.

Most of the settlement funds will be distributed in the first three years. In Washington state, the funds must be split evenly between state and local governments and must be used to fund programs that combat the opioid epidemic.

Including this new settlement, Washington state has recovered nearly $1.29 billion from companies that helped fuel the opioid epidemic.

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Free presentation on the current state of youth substance misuse and addiction May 24, 2025

Join Hopestream Community and the City of Lake Forest Park for an important conversation on the evolving youth addiction landscape—featuring key insights on the fentanyl crisis and high-potency THC products.

Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00–11:00am
In-person: Lake Forest Park City Hall 17425 Ballinger Way NE
Streaming live on Zoom

This event is free and open to the public but please register here

This session, hosted live and via Zoom, will provide a comprehensive overview of how the addiction and drug landscapes have evolved, with special focus on the fentanyl crisis and high-potency THC products affecting today’s youth.

You’ll learn:

• Current statistics and trends in drug overdoses nationally and in Washington State
• How the opioid crisis evolved from prescription medications to today’s deadly street drugs
• Why today’s substances are fundamentally different and more dangerous than in previous generations
• The real dangers youth face from high-potency THC (marijuana) and fentanyl (fake pills)
• Understanding youth substance use and addiction through an empathetic lens: the underlying issues driving substance use
• Practical guidance for parents and community members on recognizing warning signs, supporting youth, and finding trustworthy resources
• Resources available for prevention, intervention, and treatment

This presentation combines factual data with compassionate understanding of addiction as a response to underlying challenges.

Whether you’re a concerned parent, educator, or community member who wants to be part of the solution, you’ll leave with greater awareness and practical tools to help protect our youth.

Free Narcan will be available at the event for those attending in person, as part of our commitment to equipping the community with life-saving tools.

Presented by Hopestream Community and the City of Lake Forest Park.

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Washington Recovery Alliance session on Saving Medicaid May 23, 2025

Saving Medicaid: A Call to Action for Peers and Families in WA State, Friday, May 23, 2025 from 4:00–5:15pm on Zoom.

Learn about the largest proposed Medicaid cuts in U.S. history and how they could impact people in recovery, families, and communities across Washington. 

National experts will break down what’s happening in Congress and how you can take action to protect this life-saving program.

Register here

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Workshop in LFP: Understanding Today's Youth Addiction Crisis

Did you know? The Lake Forest Park Police Department partners with Hopestream Community—a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting parents of teens and young adults facing challenges with substance use and mental health.

Hopestream offers around-the-clock support, a free podcast, retreats, and a private online community specifically for moms. 

Parents also get live and on-demand access to expert-led content and conversations focused on mental health, substance use, and overall wellness. To ensure accessibility, sliding-scale membership options are available.

Join us for a special workshop!
Date: May 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Lake Forest Park City Hall

Scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

More details here

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Shoreline man booked into jail for DUI after crash at Firdale Village early Thursday

A portion of the building housing Caravan Kebob was boarded up Thursday morning after being struck by an alleged DUI driver in a minivan. (Photo by Teresa Wippel)

From our friends at MyEdmondsNews.com

A 24-year-old Shoreline man was booked into jail for DUI early Thursday morning after the minivan he was driving crashed into the side of Caravan Kebab restaurant in Firdale Village, Edmonds police said.

Officers were called to the scene of the crash, at 9711 Firdale Ave,  just after midnight Thursday, Edmonds police spokesperson Cmdr. Josh McClure said. There were no injuries.

Firdale Village is directly north of NW Shoreline, in Edmonds.

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WSDOT repairs crash attenuator after collision on I-5

WSDOT crews had to fix a damaged crash attenuator in the downtown I-5 express lanes during Saturday's (3/15) closure. 

There was no mention of injury to WSDOT workers.

The crash attenuator is a piece of equipment attached to the back of WSDOT work vehicles. It absorbs hits and protects crew members and vehicles which are stopped on the freeway to make road repairs when someone runs into them.

WSDOT has lost a lot of workers due to impaired or inattentive drivers ignoring warnings, staying in their lane, and plowing into the back of vehicles and hitting workers. (See previous story)

They are now protected by the attenuators.

Some of the drivers are looking at their phones, but my impression, after reading these reports for a decade, is that most of them are drunk.

The other story I see is of drunk drivers who enter the freeway from an off ramp and drive the wrong way until they crash head on into a vehicle traveling the right direction.

I'm not sure what can be done about people who think they are fine to drive after they have been drinking. 

Someone always seems to get around the ignition interlock devices - the breathalyzers attached to a drunk's vehicle that they have to blow into before the car will start. I recall the story of the man who got his young grandson to blow into the tube so grandpa could drive.

But I'm glad that the people who maintain our highways are no longer dying on the job.

--Diane Hettrick

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Two suspects arrested at motel on SR 99 with drugs, cash, and guns

Photos courtesy Edmonds Police

Thursday, February 6, 2025, just before 7:00am, a continuing narcotics investigation led to the service of a search warrant at a motel in the 23900 block of Hwy 99, just north of the Shoreline border.

This is the same motel where investigators served a drug trafficking search warrant on a different room back in December. 

Today’s search warrant led to the arrest of two subjects and the recovery of drugs, cash, and multiple guns. 

A 42-year-old male and a 37-year-old woman from Edmonds were arrested and jailed on various charges. 

The male suspect did attempt to flee on foot and discarded a gun before he was taken into custody without further incident. No one was injured during the search warrant operation.

The Edmonds Police Department (EPD) Problem-Solving Emphasis Team (PSET) led the investigation. 

Since the December arrests, PSET has continued aggressively investigating drug trafficking at this motel and developing additional credible information that led to this search warrant. 

This active investigation will continue, and further arrests and search warrants will be served on those who continue to engage in criminal activity at this location or other Edmonds motels.

EPD encourages motel owners not to endorse or permit criminal activity, as this conduct directly impacts other area businesses and our Edmonds community's health, safety, and quality of life.

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Three Mexican Nationals arrested with 14 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in Bellevue

Undercover operation involving HSI agents results in drug bust

Seattle – Three citizens of Mexico were arrested late last week in Bellevue, Washington in connection with a drug deal involving more than 25 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. 

All three men are being held at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington, on a criminal complaint.

According to records filed in the case, on January 29, 2025, an undercover agent with Homeland Security Investigations began communicating with a transnational drug organization about purchasing crystal methamphetamine. 

The deal was set for the next day: 30 pounds of crystal methamphetamine for $62,000 to be exchanged at a restaurant parking lot in Bellevue.

After the undercover agents were shown the drugs, they walked the defendants back towards a vehicle where they claimed the money was waiting. As law enforcement swooped in to arrest the drug traffickers, they attempted to flee but were taken into custody. 

The men are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with attempt to distribute.

The three men are identified as:

• Eber Omar Barrones-Madrid, age 24
• Juan Jose Prado-Estrada, age 25
• Jose Manuel Ochoa-Sanchez, age 27

The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.

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Driver arrested after three vehicle collision in Ridgecrest

3 car collision in Ridgecrest
photo by Patricia Hale

By Patricia Hale

Late afternoon on Friday January 24, 2025 a lone female driver (in white car) was headed northbound on 9th Ave NE at a high rate of speed.

As the speeding car cleared the intersection at NE 160th, the right front end made contact with left rear of a construction trailer parked on the street - causing the car to spin around 180 degrees, and smack the trailer again with the left front fender.

Then it went sideways into a black SUV parked on the left side of the street. The black SUV has damage all along the driver’s side.

Obviously, white car is total loss.

Construction trailer will also most likely be a loss, as the impact tore out the suspension. There is possible damage to the truck, as the impact pushed the trailer into the back of it.

I was on scene moments after accident. The female driver was already out of car and did not seem to have any injuries. All airbags had deployed. She was frantically pacing around in circles and crying and repeating over and over “I’m so sorry”.

After police arrived, she was arrested and booked into jail for investigation of a DUI charge. Case #C25002765.

    

This particular section of 9th is pretty narrow. When there are vehicles parked along both sides - there is just barely enough room for two cars to get through going in opposite directions.

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Rep. Lauren Davis criticizes State’s Opioid Epidemic Response at Town Hall

State Representative Lauren Davis from
Washington’s 32nd Legislative District

By Oliver Moffat

Everyone’s first aid kits should include Naloxone; opioid use disorder population is “essentially dying off”

Before returning to Olympia for her seventh legislative session, State Representative Lauren Davis joined the Substance Use Disorder Team from Shoreline’s Center for Human Services for a town hall discussion on the opioid epidemic on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Although opioid overdose deaths declined in King County for part of 2024, the death rate has rebounded recently. 

The availability of medical interventions may have helped but the most likely reason the death rate decreased tells a much grimmer story.

“Folks in the public health world will tell you that that is not necessarily because of great interventions,” Representative Davis said,

“Not to diminish the work that's being done to prevent overdose but it's most likely because the population with severe opioid use disorder is essentially dying off and that's why you're seeing a decrease in overdose deaths,” she said.

A graph from King County shows the number of overdose deaths decreased for part of 2024
 before rebounding at the end of the year

Davis criticized the state’s scattered response to the opioid crisis. 

“What I find frustrating is that there is a real lack of any state comprehensive strategy or strategic plan or guidance to address the opioid epidemic,” she said.

“We still have two third of our counties in the state that have no opioid treatment program which is the only entity that can dispense methadone... that would be like saying you know we have huge counties with no access to chemotherapy, huge counties with no access to insulin.”

To save lives, the Center for Human Services Substance Use Disorder Team encouraged everyone to carry Naloxone and to stock the overdose reversal drug in first aid kits and medicine cabinets.

Naloxone (aka "Narcan") is an opioid blocker that can reverse opioid overdose within minutes and has no adverse side effects if it’s used on somebody who is not having an overdose. 

The overdose reversal drug is covered by most health insurance and is available online and at pharmacies. 

The King County website has information on how to get free Naloxone and Fentanyl Test Strips and the Center For Human Services distributes free harm reduction kits at their locations.

The town hall was sponsored by the North Urban Human Services Alliance (NUHSA) which serves five cities in North King County: Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, and Woodinville and is composed of community advocates, human services providers, faith leaders, city council members and city staff.

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$2000 Annual Cap on prescription drug costs for Medicare

Sen. Patty Murray at podium, Rep, Kim Schrier at right
Photo courtesy 

From the office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray

On January 1, 2025 a new provision that Democrats in Congress got signed into law went into effect, capping out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors with a Medicare prescription drug plan at $2,000 a year. 

On Thursday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined U.S. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA-08) at Northaven Senior Living in Seattle to highlight the new costs savings for millions of seniors.

The new cap is thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act Democrats passed through Congress in 2022—that every single Republican voted against—and it means millions of seniors will pay significantly less for their prescription drugs this year, lowering costs for families and giving them more breathing room.

“Starting January 1st, anyone with a Medicare prescription drug plan—also known as Medicare Part D—now has their out-of-pocket drug costs capped at two thousand dollars each year.

"That’s because of a law Democrats passed—the Inflation Reduction Act—that did all sorts of things to lower health care costs and make it cheaper and easier for folks to get the medications they need,” said Senator Murray.

“As everyone knows, high drug prices come with other painful costs—like stress over how to make ends meet, or what bills to skip, in order to fill a prescription, or whether to take the risk of rationing medication. These are impossible choices that no one should ever have to make. But they’re the reality for so many people, and so many seniors especially.

"And make no mistake, when prescription drugs are too expensive for people to afford—that’s dangerous. Because even the best, most effective medication can’t do someone any good if they can’t afford to get it.”

Medicare Part D—a voluntary program that helps pay for prescription drugs for people with Medicare—provides prescription drug coverage for nearly 56 million Americans. 

• More than 4.5 million older Americans enrolled in Part D are estimated to benefit from the new out-of-pocket spending cap that took effect January 1, 2025. 
• Approximately 1.4 million Part D enrollees who reach the new out-of-pocket cap between 2025 and 2029 will see annual savings of $1,000 or more, and just over 420,000 will see savings of more than $3,000. 
• In Washington state, at least 70,000 seniors are expected to see these new savings—nearly $1,900 in 2025—and that number will steadily increase over time.

The $2,000 annual cap is just one of the many actions Democrats took to lower prescription drug costs in the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Most notably, the law capped the cost of insulin for patients on Medicare at $35/month—which went into effect January 1, 2023—and it empowered Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for the first time ever.

• In August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced negotiated drug prices for ten commonly-used drugs in the first cycle of negotiations. The new, lower negotiated prices will go into effect on January 1, 2026, and will lower the prices people pay for some of the most common and expensive prescription drugs that treat heart disease, cancer, diabetes, blood clots, and more.
• Allowing Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs is expected to save American taxpayers $6 billion, with people enrolled in Medicare expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone. 15 to 20 more drugs will be added to the negotiating table every year moving forward – all thanks to Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act.

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