Following up on his executive order in 2016 and legislation from last session, Gov. Jay Inslee is proposing next steps to fulfill a multi-pronged approach to combat the opioid crisis. His proposed supplemental budget and accompanying legislation will build upon substantial work already underway to treat more of those in need of services, not stigmatize people with a medical disorder, and prevent the epidemic from claiming more lives.
Shanni Jenkins, who lost her son to an opioid overdose, shared her story during an event with the governor.
“My son, Kyle, overdosed and died last October after being clean for 2 ½ years,” she said. “Kyle and his friends tried the drug OxyContin when he was younger, and it changed his brain. He fought the battle of this disease for 10 years.
“Kyle was open and honest about his struggles, which allowed me also to be.
“Addiction is nobody’s fault. I’m so proud of my son. We have to start talking. We have to change the stigma around this. People aren’t addicts, they have opioid use disorder.
“We have to have treatment available when they finally say they are ready, which is what Governor Inslee is doing. The people fighting this disease aren’t junkies, druggies, losers, nor do they deserve to die. They are our children.”
Read more on the governor Medium page.