Friends and neighbors,
Since August, many have felt the impact of the tragic loss of life by several youths in our legislative district. This loss to drug use and suicide hits very close to home taking the crisis to a very personal level for our schools and communities.
Between mid-June and mid-September, there have been 141 suspected or confirmed deaths by overdose, 32 more than the same period of time last year in King County. Opioids, Fentanyl, and a significant rise in methamphetamine are the majority of substances attributed to the cause of death.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens 15 to 19 years old in Washington, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington State Department of Health. Twenty percent of surveyed Washington teens reported thoughts of suicide this past year, and King County’s rise in teen death by suicide is cause for abrupt action.
It doesn’t matter who we are, what we look like, or where we live, we all want what’s best for our kids. Drug use and suicide have always been there. With the escalation of both of these challenges, it is time to stand united to do more.
So, where do we start? By recognizing that growing up is getting harder. The numbers are clear, mental health and substance use hurdles are getting more and more difficult for youth. Our kids can’t thrive without more supports to help them navigate the many challenges they face. It’s time to step up for our kids. My commitment to you, and our youth is to fight for what they need including:
- Mental health resources and services when and where they’re needed
- Substance use and suicide prevention, intervention, and post-intervention assistance
- Infrastructure for delivering social-emotional and behavioral programs and strategies aligned to each student’s needs
- Basic needs when and where our youth need them, including affordable family housing, food, and family supports
In the meantime, please share these widely so those in need have a better chance of connecting with help.
| Substance use | Suicide prevention | |
| If you’re experiencing or witnessing an opioid-related emergency or another life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. If you have access to Naloxone or Narcan, use it.
The University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute provides helpful information about:
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The Washington State Department of Health also has resources for suicide intervention and prevention.
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We owe it to our kids to help them live their best lives. And I’ll continue to work hard alongside my colleagues in the Legislature to get our youth the resources they need to accomplish that goal. Please join me in supporting every young Washingtonian.
Sincerely,
Rep. Lisa Callan
(425) 295-2945