Spokane Homeless Coalition hosts conference to address fentanyl crisis

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Homeless Coalition is addressing the growing issue of fentanyl use within the homeless population.

On Thursday, the coalition held a mini-conference at the CHAS Learning Institute to discuss the issue. The problem extends beyond the homeless community, with the Spokane County Coroner reporting fentanyl deaths have surged 300% in the last five years.

Dozens of experts, along with former fentanyl users, participated in the event. They answered questions and shared strategies to combat fentanyl use.

Adding to the concern is a new synthetic opioid called Nitazene, which is estimated to be five times stronger than fentanyl. Nitazene was once used as a pain treatment in the 1960s.