VIDEO: Mayor Lisa Brown declared a state of emergency in response to the city’s ongoing opioid crisis Tuesday morning. The focus, primarily within the 2nd and Division corridor, which is heavily impacted by poisonous drugs like fentanyl.
“It’s taken the lives of our loved ones and neighbors, it’s impacting our businesses and livelihoods,” Mayor Lisa Brown said.
The Brown Administration is confident this emergency declaration will streamline Spokane’s ability to take several much-needed actions to combat the opioid crisis and to address the needs of the unhoused community. “And today we’re taking action,” Mayor Brown said. “I am declaring an emergency in response to the opioid crisis in the city of Spokane.” Just before the mayor announced the state of emergency Tuesday, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to an overdose call, serving as the best example of the distress the city is under.