HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2024-002Whatcom County
Agenda Bill Report
File Number: AB2024-063
COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
File ID: AB2024-063 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved
File Created: 01/02/2024 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 01/09/2024
Agenda Date: 01/09/2024 Enactment#: RES 2024-002
Related Files:
Primary Contact Email: chalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution requesting that the Governor of Washington declare a state of emergency in response to the
opioid and fentanyl crisis
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution requesting that the Governor of Washington declare a state of emergency in response to the
opioid and fentanyl crisis
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body: Action:
Sent To:
01/09/2024 Council Committee of the Whole RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL WITH
PROPOSED
AMENDMENT(S)
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
01/09/2024 Council SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
Aye: 7 Buchanan, Byrd, Donovan, Elenbaas, Galloway, Scanlon, and Stremler
Nay: 0
Attachments: Resolution, Substitute Resolution Amended in Committee 1.9.2024
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 111012024
1 PROPOSED BY: BUCHANAN, ELENBAAS
2 INTRODUCTION DATE: JANUARY 9, 2024
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6 RESOLUTION NO. 2024-002
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8 REQUESTING THAT THE GOVERNOR OF WASHINGTON DECLARE
9 A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO THE OPIOID AND FENTANYL CRISIS
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12 WHEREAS, according to WhatcomOverdosePrevention.org, overdose deaths in Whatcom
13 County in 2023 (132) exceeded deaths in 2022 (91) and have markedly increased every year
14 since 2018; and
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16 WHEREAS, Washington State is facing the worst drug crisis in its history, and the
17 resulting tragedies are decimating families and contributing to extraordinary levels of despair in
18 our communities; and
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20 WHEREAS, there exists a substantial likelihood of risk to persons and property unless
21 further efforts are taken to reduce the threat from fentanyl; and
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23 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Drug Enforcement (DEA) identifies fentanyl as a
24 potent synthetic opioid drug approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times
25 more potent than heroin; and
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27 WHEREAS, seven out of ten DEA tested pills with fentanyl are potentially deadly making
28 it likely that 'one pill can kill,' and in 2023 the DEA seized over 360 million deadly doses of
29 fentanyl; and
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31 WHEREAS, our community's approach to fentanyl use and fentanyl-related crimes must
32 be different than our approach to other illegal drug use in our community; and
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34 WHEREAS, the use of fentanyl continues spreading throughout our community, and new
35 and immediate avenues to enhance capabilities, coordination, and collaboration across local,
36 state, tribal, and federal agencies are needed to promote public health and safety; and
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38 WHEREAS, in June 2023, healthcare workers, tribal leaders, educators, community
39 members and law enforcement gathered for a 2-day workshop, All Hands Whatcom: Opioid
40 Summit, as a call to listening, healing, and action for the Whatcom community in response to
41 the devastating consequences of fentanyl, meth, and opioids; and
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43 WHEREAS, in June 2023, a coalition of government agencies, community -based
44 organizations, healthcare providers, and others from across Whatcom County formed a Multi-
45 Agency Coordination (MAC) Group in response to the local opioid and overdose crisis; and
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47 WHEREAS, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a
48 Multiagency coordination system is used for extraordinarily large, complex incidents occurring in
49 the city or county involving numerous agencies and/or jurisdictions; and
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51 WHEREAS, the mission of the MAC Group is to coordinate the ongoing community -wide
52 response efforts to the opioid crisis, identify and prioritize additional short-term objectives and
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strategies to reduce drug -related deaths, and mitigate the impacts on property and public safety
in Whatcom County; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County MAC group aligns with the Washington State Opioid
and Overdose Response (SOOR) plan, which includes five priority goals
1. Prevent opioid misuse,
2. Identify and treat substance use disorder,
3. Ensure and improve the health and wellness of individuals that use drugs,
4. Use data to detect opioid misuse/abuse, monitor illness, injury and death, and
evaluate interventions,
5. Support individuals in recovery; and
WHEREAS, on September 22, 2023, the Lummi Indian Business Council approved
Resolution 2023-145, declaring a state of emergency in response to the fentanyl crisis; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 2023-145 provides the Lummi Indian Business Council with new
and immediate avenues to enhance capabilities, coordination, and collaboration across tribal,
local, state, and federal agencies and bring together state agencies, local law enforcement, and
internal and external partners to pursue and achieve solutions that promote public health and
safety on the Lummi Reservation; and
WHEREAS, on October 24, 2023, the Whatcom County Council approved Resolution
2023-041 supporting the Lummi Indian Business Council's state of emergency declaration in
response to the fentanyl crisis; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2023, Whatcom County Councilmembers Buchanan and
Elenbaas sent a letter requesting that President Biden declare a national emergency on the
opioid epidemic and open additional resources and authorities to address the crisis; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council understands coordination between all agencies
in our county as well as state and federal supports is needed to fight the fentanyl crisis; and
WHEREAS, declarations of emergency at the federal, state, and county levels can open
up additional resources, funding, and assistance to address the fentanyl emergency; and
WHEREAS, on Thursday October 26, 2017, the U.S. President officially declared the
opioid crisis a "public health emergency," adding that the "epidemic is a public health
emergency;" and
WHEREAS, on October 26,. 2017, and after consultation with public health officials as
necessary, Eric D. Hargan, Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the
authority under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, determined that a public health
emergency (PHA exists nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the governor of the state of Washington is authorized under RCW 43.06.010
and RCW 43.06.220 to proclaim a State of Emergency after finding that a public disorder,
disaster, energy emergency, or riot exists within the state or any part thereof that affects life,
health, property, or the public peace; and
WHEREAS, RCW 38.52.020 establishes emergency management by the state including
rendering mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state and with other states to
cooperate with the federal government; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Council Resolution 2024-003 respectfully requests
that the President of the United States declare a national emergency to address the opioid and
fentanyl crisis.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council respectfully
requests that the Governor of the State of Washington declare a state emergency for the opioid
and fentanyl crisis, and open additional resources and authorities to address the crisis; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Whatcom County Council
respectfully requests that the Washington State Legislature partner with the Governor of
Washington to rapidly reassess a response to this crisis.
APPROVED this 9th day of January , 2024.
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Dana'.B Wp-Davis the Council
APPROVEDAS��'O�FoRM U;
/s/ Royce Buckingham (ch)
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL