Initiative proposed to ban drug safe-injection sites in King County

Initiative proposed to ban drug safe-injection sites in King County

SEATTLE (AP) — A member of the Bothell City Council on Thursday announced an initiative to ban safe-injection sites in King County for heroin and other drugs.The Seattle Times reports the proposed initiative requires signatures from 47,443 valid King County voters to qualify for the November ballot.The initiative's chief sponsor, Bothell City Council member Joshua Freed said public-consumption sites for heroin and other drugs are not the appropriate response and would enable users.Freed says he'd prefer an emphasis on discouraging doctors from prescribing opiates, expanding treatment access, and making sure police officers and firefighters are equipped with the overdose-reducing drug naloxone.

SEATTLE (AP) — A member of the Bothell City Council on Thursday announced an initiative to ban safe-injection sites in King County for heroin and other drugs.The Seattle Times reports the proposed initiative requires signatures from 47,443 valid King County voters to qualify for the November ballot.The initiative's chief sponsor, Bothell City Council member Joshua Freed said public-consumption sites for heroin and other drugs are not the appropriate response and would enable users.Freed says he'd prefer an emphasis on discouraging doctors from prescribing opiates, expanding treatment access, and making sure police officers and firefighters are equipped with the overdose-reducing drug naloxone.

Health Officials: Dangerous drug linked to increasing overdose deaths

Health Officials: Dangerous drug linked to increasing overdose deaths

SEATTLE – Local health officials on Wednesday warned the public about a drug that can kill users in a matter of seconds.The drug is called fentanyl and experts said it’s 50 times stronger than heroin, and it’s already on the streets of Western Washington.On Wednesday, health officials from various city and state agencies said the drug is partially to blame for roughly 10% of all opioid overdose deaths in our state.“We don’t know if this is a canary in a coal mine of something bigger coming,” said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute and an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington's School of Public Health.

SEATTLE – Local health officials on Wednesday warned the public about a drug that can kill users in a matter of seconds.The drug is called fentanyl and experts said it’s 50 times stronger than heroin, and it’s already on the streets of Western Washington.On Wednesday, health officials from various city and state agencies said the drug is partially to blame for roughly 10% of all opioid overdose deaths in our state.“We don’t know if this is a canary in a coal mine of something bigger coming,” said Caleb Banta-Green, principal research scientist at the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute and an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington's School of Public Health.

11-year-old girl revived with Narcan after heroin overdose, police say

11-year-old girl revived with Narcan after heroin overdose, police say

An 11-year-old girl had to be revived with the antidote Narcan after a drug overdose in her Pittsburgh home, according to police.

An 11-year-old girl had to be revived with the antidote Narcan after a drug overdose in her Pittsburgh home, according to police.

'Gray death' is the latest opioid street mix causing worry

'Gray death' is the latest opioid street mix causing worry

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — It's being called "gray death" — a new and dangerous opioid combo that underscores the ever-changing nature of the U.S. addiction crisis.Investigators who nicknamed the street mixture have detected it or recorded overdoses blamed on it in Alabama, Georgia and Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — It's being called "gray death" — a new and dangerous opioid combo that underscores the ever-changing nature of the U.S. addiction crisis.Investigators who nicknamed the street mixture have detected it or recorded overdoses blamed on it in Alabama, Georgia and Ohio.

'She stole my heroin': Man arrested after calling 911 to request K-9 unit's help

'She stole my heroin': Man arrested after calling 911 to request K-9 unit's help

BATH TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- An Ohio man was arrested after calling police for help getting back his stolen goods, which turned out to be heroin, authorities said.WEWS-TV obtained a recording of the 911 call, which Bath Township Police Chief Mike McNeely called "one of the most bizarre" he's heard in 41 years on the job.Police say 20-year-old Joseph Murphy told the dispatcher his girlfriend stole his heroin, and that he needed a police dog.

BATH TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- An Ohio man was arrested after calling police for help getting back his stolen goods, which turned out to be heroin, authorities said.WEWS-TV obtained a recording of the 911 call, which Bath Township Police Chief Mike McNeely called "one of the most bizarre" he's heard in 41 years on the job.Police say 20-year-old Joseph Murphy told the dispatcher his girlfriend stole his heroin, and that he needed a police dog.

Poll: Marijuana safer than opioids, but moms shouldn't use

Poll: Marijuana safer than opioids, but moms shouldn't use

DENVER -- Americans think it's safer to use marijuana than opioids to relieve pain, but they were less comfortable with children and pregnant women using pot to treat medical conditions, according to a new Yahoo/Marist poll released Monday.Two-thirds of the respondents in the telephone survey said opioid drugs such as Vicodin or OxyContin are "riskier" to use than pot, even when the pain pills are prescribed by a doctor.Only one in five said marijuana was riskier than opioids.

DENVER -- Americans think it's safer to use marijuana than opioids to relieve pain, but they were less comfortable with children and pregnant women using pot to treat medical conditions, according to a new Yahoo/Marist poll released Monday.Two-thirds of the respondents in the telephone survey said opioid drugs such as Vicodin or OxyContin are "riskier" to use than pot, even when the pain pills are prescribed by a doctor.Only one in five said marijuana was riskier than opioids.

Guns, meth, heroin seized during arrest near Port Angeles

Guns, meth, heroin seized during arrest near Port Angeles

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- Authorities say a report of a suspicious vehicle near Port Angeles led to the seizure of four guns, 950 grams of heroin and 400 grams of methamphetamine.The Peninsula Daily News reports a 26-year-old Port Angeles resident who the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team had been investigating as a suspected drug dealer was arrested in connection with the seizure on Sunday.Authorities say they received the suspicious vehicle report and spotted the driver, who then led deputies on a chase before crashing.Det.

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- Authorities say a report of a suspicious vehicle near Port Angeles led to the seizure of four guns, 950 grams of heroin and 400 grams of methamphetamine.The Peninsula Daily News reports a 26-year-old Port Angeles resident who the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team had been investigating as a suspected drug dealer was arrested in connection with the seizure on Sunday.Authorities say they received the suspicious vehicle report and spotted the driver, who then led deputies on a chase before crashing.Det.

Deputies seize heroin, meth, firearms and dozens of suspected stolen car keys

Deputies seize heroin, meth, firearms and dozens of suspected stolen car keys

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- A suspicious vehicle complaint led to an arrest and the seizure of heroin, meth, two handguns, two loaded AR-15 assault-style rifles and dozens of suspected stolen car keys, the Clallam County Sheriff's Office said Monday.On Sunday afternoon, two deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Deer Park Road in Port Angeles.

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- A suspicious vehicle complaint led to an arrest and the seizure of heroin, meth, two handguns, two loaded AR-15 assault-style rifles and dozens of suspected stolen car keys, the Clallam County Sheriff's Office said Monday.On Sunday afternoon, two deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle complaint on Deer Park Road in Port Angeles.

Dog used as drug mule to smuggle $1 million worth of heroin

Dog used as drug mule to smuggle $1 million worth of heroin

A dog was allegedly used as a drug mule to traffic more than $1 million worth of heroin to New York City, the Queens District Attorney said Monday.

A dog was allegedly used as a drug mule to traffic more than $1 million worth of heroin to New York City, the Queens District Attorney said Monday.

City of Everett sues drugmaker for letting OxyContin flood black market

City of Everett sues drugmaker for letting OxyContin flood black market

EVERETT, Wash. -- As deaths from painkillers and heroin abuse spiked and street crimes increased, the mayor of Everett took major steps to tackle the opioid epidemic devastating this working-class city north of Seattle.Mayor Ray Stephanson stepped up patrols, hired social workers to ride with officers and pushed for more permanent housing for chronically homeless people.

EVERETT, Wash. -- As deaths from painkillers and heroin abuse spiked and street crimes increased, the mayor of Everett took major steps to tackle the opioid epidemic devastating this working-class city north of Seattle.Mayor Ray Stephanson stepped up patrols, hired social workers to ride with officers and pushed for more permanent housing for chronically homeless people.

Police: Woman in labor demanded injection of heroin and meth

Police: Woman in labor demanded injection of heroin and meth

Two women face charges after one allegedly injected the other –who was in labor at the time – with drugs last September, according to WMUR.

Two women face charges after one allegedly injected the other –who was in labor at the time – with drugs last September, according to WMUR.

State Senate passes bill to ban heroin injection sites, but House unlikely to give its approval

State Senate passes bill to ban heroin injection sites, but House unlikely to give its approval

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate has passed a measure that ultimately bans safe-injection sites for heroin users in Washington state.Senate Bill 5223 passed in the Republican-led Senate Thursday on a 26-23 vote and now heads to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is not expected to advance.The measure would remove local authority to establish heroin injection sites.State Sen.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Senate has passed a measure that ultimately bans safe-injection sites for heroin users in Washington state.Senate Bill 5223 passed in the Republican-led Senate Thursday on a 26-23 vote and now heads to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is not expected to advance.The measure would remove local authority to establish heroin injection sites.State Sen.

Hope after heroin: Former addict shares his story of recovery

Hope after heroin: Former addict shares his story of recovery

SEATTLE -- Alejandro Lucero spent years as a homeless heroin addict in downtown Seattle – racking up six felony convictions before the age of 30.Today, he has a full-time job, a newborn son, and has been clean and sober for more than two years.Alejandro reached out to Q13 News to share his story of recovery, and was reunited with two Seattle police officers who helped put him on the right track.

SEATTLE -- Alejandro Lucero spent years as a homeless heroin addict in downtown Seattle – racking up six felony convictions before the age of 30.Today, he has a full-time job, a newborn son, and has been clean and sober for more than two years.Alejandro reached out to Q13 News to share his story of recovery, and was reunited with two Seattle police officers who helped put him on the right track.

Teen's Facebook video reveals family's struggle with heroin

Teen's Facebook video reveals family's struggle with heroin

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Farmington resident Jade Hall is going public with her family's heroin battle in hopes it saves a life.

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Farmington resident Jade Hall is going public with her family's heroin battle in hopes it saves a life.

Man, woman overdose while driving car with baby in back seat

Man, woman overdose while driving car with baby in back seat

Police were called to a crash on the northeast side of Indianapolis Thursday afternoon around 12:45 p.m.When they arrived, they found two unresponsive adults with a baby in the car.

Police were called to a crash on the northeast side of Indianapolis Thursday afternoon around 12:45 p.m.When they arrived, they found two unresponsive adults with a baby in the car.