Seattle First Responders Prescribe Buprenorphine to OD Patients
In Seattle, the devastating toll of drug overdoses claims hundreds of lives annually. Recent years have witnessed a troubling surge in overdose incidents, compelling city officials to take decisive action. Because of this, EMTs in the city will now be able to play a part and give Medication-Assisted Treatment via Buprenorphine as part of their treatment for people who overdose on opioids.
The upward trend of addiction calls has been staggering, with daily overdose calls escalating from 4.7 in 2021 to a staggering 15.4 in 2023, underscoring the urgency of intervention. Now, the city is putting an effort into helping people find treatment and begin recovery from substance use disorders.
Introducing a Novel Approach: Seattle Fire Department’s Health 99 Unit
In a proactive move to combat the crisis, the Seattle Fire Department has launched the Health 99 Unit. Comprising …