Addressing a Major Crisis
We are in a crisis, witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of fentanyl and opioid addiction, which is destroying lives, families, and communities. It has overwhelmed the entire country and is no different in King County, which has seen drug and alcohol poisoning deaths increase every year since 2013, peaking with 1,338 deaths in 2023.
Thunderbird Reduces Disproportionality in Overdoses
According to King County, overdoses are the leading cause of preventable injury deaths in the county, which disproportionally impacts BIPOC communities and people experiencing homelessness.
In Washington state alone, Native people die from opioid overdoses at a rate five times higher than the state average, according to Center for Disease Control (CDC).
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Since Thunderbird Treatment Center previously closed, our community lost a valuable resource for people to access recovery. There is a tremendous need to expand access to residential treatment services locally in the County. We are excited about the work Seattle Indian Health Board is doing to bring these resources back.
Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor, Public Health – Seattle & King County
Thunderbird Increases the Number of Beds in King County by 62%
According to King County, there are only 148 beds for inpatient treatment in the county. The shortage of beds is a major problem because the success rate of addiction recovery skyrockets when people struggling with substance use disorder go through a residential treatment program.
With the opening of Thunderbird Treatment Center, the number of beds in King County would immediately increase by 62%, from 148 to 240.
Thunderbird Increases Access to Community-Based Treatment & Recovery
In King County’s “Five Priorities for Action to Prevent Overdoses in King County in 2024,” it identified five priorities:
- Treatment and community-based, recovery-focused care for all.
- Behavioral health beds and facilities.
- Overdose reversal medication and fentanyl testing.
- A robust, diverse behavioral health workforce.
- Reduced disproportionality in overdoses.
Thunderbird Treatment Center checks every one of King County’s priorities. It will provide community-based, recovery-focused care that will increase access to beds, services, and diverse professionals.
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The opening of Thunderbird is essential to the health and wellbeing of all of Washington.
Esther Lucero (Diné), President and CEO, SIHB
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