Get Involved

What can I do?

As the opioid epidemic continues to affect families, neighborhoods, and communities in Snohomish County, it’s difficult to know how to aid others or where to get involved. Here are a few resources and ideas that can help you keep your neighborhood safe as we fight the epidemic together.

Pick up a Needle Clean-Up Kit

Used needles left in public and private places are both a nuisance and a potential safety concern. Regardless of whether they’re used to inject medicine like insulin or an illegal drug like heroin, a used needle can be potentially dangerous if found lying on the ground.

While the risk of contracting a disease like Hepatitis C from a needle-stick injury is low, you can further reduce that risk by using the right equipment and clean-up procedures. It’s also important to teach children to never pick up needles found on the ground and to report them immediately to a trusted adult.

Free needle clean-up kits and drop-off location are listed on this website.

Lock Up Your Meds

Half of all opioid-related deaths in the U.S. involve a prescription opioid. If you have medication in your home — whether they are prescribed by a doctor or over-the-counter — lock them up.

Report Nuisance Properties

Nuisance properties pose a public safety risk and can potentially impact neighborhood property values by unchecked criminal activity as well as violate county and Snohomish Health District codes. These properties are also magnets for squatters and criminal behavior, such as drug use and/or trafficking, prostitution, storage of stolen property and vehicles, occupation of RVs or other structures not permitted for residence, and more. To report a nuisance property, call the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 425-407-3999. You can also file a complaint through the Snohomish County Health Department online.

Talk to Your Faith Leader

Local faith communities have charity and non-profit entities that provide services and outreach to vulnerable populations, including those who have a substance use disorder or are experiencing houselessness. Some of these include:

• The Interfaith Association of Northwest Washington
• Salvation Army
• MercyWatch
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest
• Catholic Community Services

Connect With a Community Coalition

The key to success in tackling any community-wide problem is involvement and partnerships. Several public agencies in Snohomish County have existing community coalitions that meet regularly and are engaged in the challenges our neighbors, friends and families face. The following is not a complete list, but includes coalitions that focus on prevention/intervention, a specific community, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):

• Monroe Community Coalition
• Marysville Community Coalition
• Darrington Community Prevention Coalition
• Granite Falls Prevention Coalition
• Snohomish County Children’s Wellness Coalition
• ACEs Quarterly/NEAR Collaborative
• Snohomish County Children’s Commission

Volunteer for Crisis Support

Consider actively engaging with agencies providing support and outreach. United way of Snohomish County has dozens of volunteer opportunities, including serving as a 2-1-1 operator who can connect people in need to vetted health and human services in our community.

Share Your Story

If you or someone you love has struggled with addiction, consider sharing your story. People who use substances or are addicted to substances have long been stigmatized. Sharing your story can help normalize the discussion of substance use disorder being a treatable disease and help community members feel less alone.