BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Lacey McCarley tends to the downtrodden and addicted on the streets of Whatcom County.
McCarley is a nurse practitioner with the County and treats about 20 people every week.
"They're feeing pretty desperate and have experienced a lot of trauma," McCarley said. "Sometimes drugs like fentanyl or meth can make you feel better for a while, even if they are detrimental to your overall health."
Addiction is a constant issue. 136 people died from drug overdoses in Whatcom County last year, up 43% from the previous year. Homelessness is up 27%.
Now, an order from county executive Satpal Sidhu is prioritizing two main areas.
First, a support program to get people treatment in the critical hours immediately after an overdose when they're likely more willing to accept help.
Second, opening a walk-in crisis center where people suffering from drug or mental health issues can get stabilized and find services.
The goal is to help, not enable people struggling with addiction.
Sidhu said getting people swift help after overdoses is crucial in getting them well and preventing future deaths.
"One incident probably makes 100 more people aware because it's somebody's friend, somebody's relative, somebody's son or somebody's daughter," Sidhu said. “Fentanyl is a pernicious poison that is wreaking havoc in our community. Its human toll is devastating. We must intensify our response to correspond to the magnitude of the crisis."
Sidhu called for a comprehensive plan and additional funding from the federal government.
"We can't do this alone," Sidhu said.
For now, nurse McCarley continues making her rounds, optimistic the executive order will make a difference and the suffering on the streets will give way to success.
"I see people recover, I see people reunite with families, get their children back, go to college," McCarley said. "I have hope."