Fentanyl is becoming a public health crisis for Tri-Cities | Opinion

TCs facing health crisis without help

The Tri-Cities community is facing a serious and growing public health crisis: the dramatic increase in opioid and fentanyl-related overdose deaths. This issue affects our families, our students, our neighbors, and our health care systems and we cannot afford to stay silent about it.

Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, has become the dominant driver of overdose deaths across Washington state and in the Tri-Cities.

Preliminary data from the Benton and Franklin county coroners show that dozens of residents in our community died from fentanyl-related overdoses in 2024 alone. Many of these deaths involved fentanyl or fentanyl mixed with other drugs, underscoring how lethal and widespread this crisis has become in our local area.

This trend is part of a broader pattern across Washington. Statewide data confirm that opioid overdose deaths overwhelmingly involving fentanyl have surged over recent years, and fentanyl now accounts for the vast majority of fatal overdoses.

The impact of this epidemic is devastating for families and communities. It doesn’t just mean tragic loss of life it means more emergency responses, more hospitalizations, more children losing parents, and more adults struggling with addiction without adequate access to treatment and support.

We need concrete action in the Tri-Cities and across Washington to address this crisis.

Specifically, we should: • Expand access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and community-based recovery services. • Increase distribution and training for naloxone (Narcan) - a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. • Support school and community education programs that inform residents about fentanyl dangers and harm reduction.

We can prevent these deaths, but that requires public investment, community awareness, and leadership at every level - local, county, and state. This health crisis deserves as much attention and urgency as any other life-threatening condition affecting our community. Maria Garcia, Prosser

Pasco remodels need to get done

The City of Pasco recently completed the first of a three-phase remodel of the Martin L. King Community Center in East Pasco. Phase II and III will be completed as grant funds become available. Unfortunately, the estimated time for total completion is 10 more years.

The MLK Center is currently occupied by two highly respected non-profit tenants. However, of great concern is the lack of access to the MLK Center for the residents of East Pasco and general public.

The City’s long term “sweetheart” lease agreements with current tenants and the newly remodeled spaces to accommodate their programs - all prevents the City from any competitive options to repurpose building space for changes that better meet the needs of Pasco’s residents and taxpayers. Neighborhood residents must continually rent space by the hour in an older adjacent building for events and meetings.

The MLK center and remodel are the result of years of local civil rights advocacy and protests. It was originally planned and built as a multi-purpose “community” facility, and not simply a recreation center, business rental, or name only monument for Martin L. King.

Dallas Barnes, Pasco

She likes mailing in her ballots

I am proud that voting by mail in Washington State is safe and secure. However, mail from Pasco doesn’t get postmarked until it goes through the mail handling facility in Spokane. There are often delays, it can take as many as 10 days to deliver your mail locally.

If you voted late, as many did in the recent Pasco school levy election, your ballot might not have been counted. 267 ballots were rejected for being postmarked after the election date. Those ballots could have made the difference in passing the levy.

In our democracy, your vote is your voice, please use it - but it deserves to be counted. Your ballot should arrive around April 10th. Please vote again, vote early and drop it off in a designated ballot box. Pasco voters will find the locations of Franklin County Elections ballot boxes included in your ballot voting instructions.

I ask you to vote “Yes” for the April 28 Pasco School Levy – but if you must mail it, do so by April 15. Pasco School kids are counting on you.

Ana Armijo, Pasco

Access needed to be implemented

Behavioral health access in Washington is often reported as scarce, yet the reality on the ground tells a different story, especially for individuals whose brains process information and experience the world differently than what is typically expected in treatment settings.

These individuals live in every Washington community and deserve care that truly recognizes and respects their unique cognitive and sensory experiences.

In Spokane County, the only certified behavioral health agency offering neuro-affirming care is repeatedly told by Medicaid managed care organizations that there are “enough” providers nearby. Meanwhile, waitlists grow longer, and individuals wait, despite immediate openings at centers ready to serve.

I’ve had clients forced to seek treatment elsewhere; some returned, and I chose to provide care at no cost because, as a nonprofit, my mission is to give back, even when Medicaid refuses to contract with us. These cases expose a system that claims to value access but rewards the status quo over real community need.

If Washington truly values person-centered care, funding and contracting must change. Why report a shortage of behavioral health options when capable providers stand ready in our communities?

Patricia Shropshire, Spokane

Lower gas prices wanted by us all

We all want lower gas prices an lower inflation. But not by lifting sanctions on Putin’s oil! He will use those billions per month on even more missiles and drones to kill civilians — kids and adults — throughout Ukrainian towns.

Mr. President, you say you want the war to end, but actions speak louder than words. You lifted sanctions on Putin’s diamonds, thwarted Europe’s attempts to confiscate his frozen assets, and now you lift sanctions on his oil?

The real question: Does the American flag still stand for anything deeper than a quick buck?

Mark Douglass, Kennewick

Pasco schools get boosted by all

There are many good things about Pasco Schools, but the greatest asset is all the people – those in the classroom, proving after school activities and behind the scenes.

From kindergarten through high school our children have teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff who care about them. Our children have opportunities to visit libraries for fun or research, to take hands-on classes in shops, greenhouses, kitchens and computer labs. 17 elementary schools feed into 4 middle schools that feed into 3 comprehensive high schools which provide multiple pathways for students to graduate, but Pasco also offers STEM immersion at Delta HS, Tri-Tech Vocational training and encourages Running Start options.

For some children the social setting of in-person education is daunting, Pasco offers multiple K-12 digital learning opportunities, New Horizons is an alternative high school experience, and our new Orion High School will prepare students with employers’ certificated job skills.

Thank all the people who earn their livelihoods making a difference for our kids. There is a lot of Pasco Pride to brag about, let’s preserve it! Vote YES for the April levy! Mark and send your ballot today to ensure it gets counted.

PHS grad & Pasco Parent, Katie Mauseth, Pasco

President out of sync with people

Collaborating with a foreign government (Israel) our president ordered the bombing of a country (Iran) that was not at war with us. The first time (was) in June, 2025, which damaged Iran’s nuclear processing facilities and now by attacking their infrastructure and military facilities.

The necessity for this attack was not previously discussed with our allies, Congress or the American people and is still not clear. What is known is that Iran has refused to accept a more restrictive agreement than the U.S. and major allies had previously agreed upon regarding uranium enrichment.

Iran practiced restraint after the initial attack on their nuclear facilities by not attacking the U.S. Instead, they suggested a meeting to determine how more conflict could be avoided.

A mistaken belief by our president and Israel was that sustained diplomatic and military pressure would keep Iran from fighting back and to accept a more restrictive agreement.

This resulted in new and continuing attacks on its military facilities and the assassination of some of its leaders. Instead, Iran is fighting back and defending its country with its own missile and drone attacks, and the U.S. is facing another war similar to the Iraqi fiasco, but larger in magnitude.

Bill Petrie, Richland

Check out which want McKinney

Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney recently announced a list of 34 “local elected officials” who have endorsed her for the 4th Congressional District race. What she doesn’t tell you is that 20 of those 34 are not local; they don’t even reside in the 4th Congressional District.

While Ms. McKinney travels outside the 4th District seeking notoriety, money and endorsements from people not from here, I prefer a candidate who is actually for the people of the 4th.

The most powerful endorsement for a congressional district is from the voters actually living in that congressional district. Time will tell if Ms. McKinney is more focused on nationalizing this race or working on the issues and for the people right here in Washington’s 4th. As of now, it’s quite clear to this voter. Vince Matthews, Kennewick

Pasco burdened by city council

Sorry that the citizens, especially children, of Pasco are burdened with such an ignorant, anti-science city council. I grew up with natural levels of fluoride in my water, and never had a cavity until my thirties, with relatively few even then.

Norm Walker, Yakima