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Thurston County EMS reports 25% drop in opioid-related responses; expands on-scene Suboxone and peer-referral program
Summary
Emergency Services Director Ben Miller told the Board of Health that EMS opioid responses fell about 25% from 2024 to 2025, and described a Suboxone program (launched May 2025), partnerships with Catholic Community Services and plans for community listening sessions and an eighth medic unit to maintain response-time compliance.
Thurston County’s director of emergency services reported April 14 that county EMS saw a roughly 25% drop in opioid-related responses between 2024 and 2025, and outlined several operational changes intended to sustain that improvement and expand access to treatment.
Ben Miller, director for Emergency Services and Medic 1, told the Board of Health the 25% reduction was measured by Narcan administration in EMS calls. He also said crews shifted toward single-dose Narcan administrations more often than multiple-dose interventions, and that key initiatives — including on-scene Suboxone availability and improved referral…
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