SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County is experiencing a significant decline in suspected overdoses, with numbers dropping to their lowest levels since 2023, according to the Regional Health District.
The county averaged 223 suspected overdoses per month in 2025, but that number fell to 158 per month from August through December. CDC data on overdose deaths is also declining for the first time in over two years.
Local organizations say the decrease results from coordinated efforts between the city, law enforcement, and nonprofit groups.
The Spokane Business Association credits the city’s Safe and Accessible Spaces Ordinance with helping direct people to services by giving law enforcement the ability to issue citations for unlawful camping.
“I think you can tie that back to shifts in how the city is working with people, the unsheltered homeless populations and moving them into services,” said Gavin Cooley, director of strategic initiatives for the Spokane Business Association.
Gabriel’s Challenge, a nonprofit focused on addressing the fentanyl crisis, believes wider distribution of naloxone has helped reduce overdoses.
“Whether it’s the Spokane Regional Health District and Pioneer Human Services dropping off naloxone at Gabriel’s Challenge and people are able to pick it up without stigma. That’s been removing that barrier and the stress and the stigma of getting help,” said Kitara Johnson-Jones, founder of Gabriel’s Challenge.
However, Gabriel’s Challenge says more work remains, particularly in creating programs to help people ages 18 to 25 dealing with addiction.
Both organizations hope local governments, nonprofits, law enforcement and faith-based groups can continue working together to address the opioid crisis.
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