Reported opioid overdoses fall for second straight year in Whatcom County

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Photo: Saga Communications/Sam Kristofferson

WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County saw a promising drop in opioid overdoses last year.

According to Whatcom Overdose Prevention, the county had a nearly 33% decrease in EMS calls for suspected opioid overdoses from 2024 to 2025.

The county also saw a 37% drop in fatal opioid overdoses.

Both trends reflect a general decline in opioid overdoses at both the local and state level over the past two years after peaking in 2023.

It comes amid an influx of overdose prevention resources across the state.

My Bellingham Now previously reported that Whatcom County unveiled its first public-access naloxone dispenser box in 2024.

It currently has eight boxes spread across the county that offer free, 24/7 access to the opioid overdose reversal medication.

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