In King County, heroin-related deaths on the rise

Alex Cnossen

Alex Cnossen Jun 22, 2025

Feb 6, 2018

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                <h1>In King County, heroin-related deaths on the rise</h1>
                <h2><p>New health data from University of Washington researchers shows a staggering 156 heroin-involved deaths in King County last year, up from 99 in 2013. At the same time, deaths related to prescription drugs have gone down, which the report attributes to better restrictions and control.

Although treatment for heroin addiction</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/alex-cnossen-crosscut-com/">Alex Cnossen</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Feb 6, 2018</time></p>
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            <p>New health data from University of Washington researchers <a href="https://avalancheghost.one/content/files/pubs/cewg/drug-trends_2014_final.pdf">shows</a> a staggering 156 heroin-involved deaths in King County last year, up from 99 in 2013. At the same time, deaths related to prescription drugs have gone down, which the report attributes to better restrictions and control.</p><p>Although treatment for heroin addiction is expanding, researchers say that King County is struggling to keep up with demand. State figures for heroin-related deaths aren’t available yet, but according to the report’s lead author, Caleb Banta-Green, the number will top the 227 deaths reported in 2013.</p>
          </article>

New health data from University of Washington researchers shows a staggering 156 heroin-involved deaths in King County last year, up from 99 in 2013. At the same time, deaths related to prescription drugs have gone down, which the report attributes to better restrictions and control.

Although treatment for heroin addiction is expanding, researchers say that King County is struggling to keep up with demand. State figures for heroin-related deaths aren’t available yet, but according to the report’s lead author, Caleb Banta-Green, the number will top the 227 deaths reported in 2013.

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By Alex Cnossen

Alex Cnossen is a Northwest native and has worked for several local publications, including KOMO, KIRO and KING-TV. He grew up in Portland and loves to run and write. Follow him on Twitter @CnossenAle