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How does addiction start? Often it's because someone was injured on the job or at home. Or, perhaps they had oral surgery. The opiods manage the pain, temporarily, but, then the patient takes more, feels better, however the medication wears off. Now he or she needs more meds and the downward spiral starts. They find ways to get the drugs. They bypass pharmacy systems. They burn through finances. Then they often fracture their relationships in their families. They lose their job. Lose their home. Now what? Who are these people? Your neighbor. Your friend. A family member. An aerospace worker. A suit-and-tie type person. Probably someone you know. A few years ago, a University of Chicago survey found that two thirds of opioid addicts started with a prescription from a doctor or dentist. "The traditional method of policing doesn't work for this issue." Sheriff Ty Trenary Sheriff Trenary said that "there is a path to be okay." What he means by this is that people can and are being helped out of the addiction cycle to recovery and a sense of normalcy. Snohomish County has a Multi Agency Coordinated group (MAC) to address the opioid crisis. 43 strategies were developed and 98% of those have been achieved. Strategies include partnering Sheriff's Deputies and social workers together to meet people where they are. Usually out on the street or in an encampment. In a vehicle. In a tent. Under a tarp. The County has a diversion center where the homeless can get cleaned up, a fresh set of clothes and additional services. On the County Administration Campus in Everett, the Carnegie Building has a variety of resources to help people in this situation. Addiction recovery programs. Employment assistance. Housing opportunities. In almost two years, 548 people were helped. Amazingly, the crime rate dropped more than 20%. Overall, the low level crime rate is increasing, because addicts have to find ways to pay for the drugs. There is a definite correlation between addiction, homelessness and property crime. Burglary, vehicle prowl and shoplifting are the most common property crimes. School districts conduct annual anonymous surveys of high school aged students. Since 2008, there has been a steady increase in kids who report that they've taken pills from their parents or parents of friends prescriptions. The largest group that does this is girls ages 15-17. Does this scare you? What can we do? In our homes, keep prescriptions locked up. If you don't use all of the medication, properly dispose of it. Pharmacies will take back medications. Do not flush it down the toilet. Doctors and dentists are now required to check databases to see if patients have been prescribed medications from other providers. And, they limit the amount of pills to be dispensed. Often without an option to have the prescription be refilled! The County Jail does not give out psychiatric drugs to inmates who are being released. There are education programs in school as well as at many businesses. Many employers have assistance programs to help their employees. It costs lots of money for employers to have to replace and train their staff. The County and local municipalities are going after drug dealers as well. Lake Stevens Police Chief John Dyer added that the City of Lake Stevens partners with Compass Health to assist people in these situations. The City also received a grant for a social worker specifically for this reason. Sheriff Trenary reminded everyone that this epidemic is not a choice. Ty Trenary has served the citizens of Washington State for over 30 years in the policing profession. He became the Snohomish County Sheriff in 2013 after serving in numerous executive roles within the agency. Ty has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. He was recently selected to participate in a leadership executive series with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and 50 other law enforcement executives throughout the United States. Ty also serves on several local, state and National Executive Boards. He and Vicki have been married for 26 years. She is an elementary school teacher. They have two daughters—one works for Premiera, the other is a law student at Gonzaga University.
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