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Resident and county overdose‑prevention lead urges briefing after reported jail fentanyl fatalities and $5.5M settlement
Summary
An Issaquah resident and King County overdose‑prevention lead told the council on June 16 he wants a public briefing after media reports that two people died in the city jail and the city agreed to a reported $5.5 million settlement.
Brad Finegood, an Issaquah resident who said he works in overdose prevention for King County, used the meeting’s opening public‑comment period to press the city for answers and policy changes after media reports that two people died while in the city jail.
Finegood said he learned via news coverage that “2 people died in the city jail of fentanyl overdose or or fentanyl withdrawal” and that Cascade PBS reported the city reached a $5,500,000 payout. “I bring that, as an, in my professional role too,” he said, offering his expertise and asking, “what policies are changing in the jail as a result of that? I urge you to have a briefing in front of council to understand that.”
Nut graf: Finegood framed the comment as both a resident and a professional, saying the deaths appeared to be preventable and asking the council to request a briefing and consider the Human Services Commission or other local mechanisms to develop best practices.
Council response and requested follow‑up
Deputy Council President Barbara DeMichele thanked Finegood and said someone could follow up: “someone can follow‑up with you, Brad, to tell you the answer to your questions,” recorded in the meeting transcript. No briefing date or administrative action was recorded in the transcript beyond that offer to follow up.
Context provided by the commenter
Finegood said he leads overdose prevention work for King County and described himself as a national expert and also as someone personally affected by overdose (he described being “the survivor of a brother that died of an overdose”). He urged use of evidence‑based treatment and involvement by the city’s Human Services Commission. He offered himself as a resource.
Ending
The comment period closed with the clerk indicating someone could follow up with Finegood; the transcript does not show any formal council directive, staff briefing, or subsequent council discussion about the jail at that meeting.
