The King County Medical Examiner's Office listed 16 drug overdose deaths from Sept. 21 to 25, and most involved fentanyl, methamphetamine, or both. The listings were compiled by The Center Square in its weekly Washington overdose tracker, published by the Everett Post.
Ten of the deaths occurred in Seattle and three in Kent, while Bellevue, Shoreline and Kirkland each recorded one. Most of the deaths happened in mid-September, but a few listed that week dated back to May, July and August, since cause-of-death findings can take weeks or months.
For families in the Seattle area, the pattern points to a specific danger. Parents, roommates and coworkers may be the first people on the scene of an overdose, well before paramedics arrive. Many people who use stimulants do not think of themselves as opioid users, yet fentanyl is showing up in the same deaths, and naloxone can still reverse the opioid part of an overdose.
Where the Deaths Occurred and Which Drugs Were Involved
At least 11 of the 16 deaths involved fentanyl, and at least 10 involved methamphetamine, often together, according to the medical examiner's listings. Cocaine appeared in at least five cases. One death also involved methadone, and another involved alcohol along with fentanyl and cocaine. One death was listed as brain injury from lack of oxygen with probable fentanyl and methamphetamine intoxication.
Most of the listed deaths occurred in homes, while several happened outdoors in Seattle. The Center Square said it has tallied 240 drug-related deaths in King County since it began its weekly tracker on May 26. The outlet noted that it does not independently verify the medical examiner's information.
The longer trend offers context. King County recorded 914 fatal overdoses in 2025, with fentanyl involved in 78% and methamphetamine in 56%, KOMO News reported in May, citing county public health data. Fentanyl deaths have declined since peaking in 2023, but the county still loses hundreds of people each year.
The county's public health department posts close-to-real-time figures on its overdose data dashboards, including deaths, overdoses treated by emergency medical services and emergency departments, and the number of residents receiving medication for opioid use disorder. A single week's count can rise or fall sharply, so the dashboards offer a better picture of long-term trends.
The Added Danger of Mixing Fentanyl and Stimulants
Fentanyl and stimulants push the body in opposite directions. Opioids like fentanyl slow breathing, while methamphetamine and cocaine raise heart rate and blood pressure. The effects do not cancel out. According to the CDC's guidance on polysubstance use, "the results of combining drugs are unpredictable, often modifying or even masking the effects of one or both drugs."
That masking can be deadly. A stimulant may hide the drowsiness that would normally warn someone they have taken too much of an opioid. The combination also strains the heart and lungs at the same time.
Many people do not know fentanyl is present. Drugs sold as methamphetamine or cocaine can contain fentanyl, so someone who believes they are using only a stimulant may be exposed to a powerful opioid without warning. People with little opioid tolerance, including those who use stimulants occasionally, may face the greatest risk.
Treatment is available for both kinds of drug use, though it differs. Medications such as buprenorphine and methadone treat opioid use disorder and lower the risk of death. There is no approved medication for methamphetamine or cocaine use disorder, but counseling approaches, including contingency management, have shown benefit.
Free Naloxone Across King County
Naloxone, sold as Narcan and in generic forms, reverses opioid overdoses and is safe to give even if opioids are not involved. When fentanyl is mixed with a stimulant, naloxone can still reverse the fentanyl, though emergency medical care is still needed.
King County operates free harm reduction vending machines stocked with nasal naloxone and fentanyl test strips, and some also offer injectable naloxone. Locations include Peer Seattle on Bellevue Avenue, Peer Kent, the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, the Compass Day Center in Seattle and YouthCare's Orion Center for people 24 and younger.
Every Seattle Public Library location also offers free naloxone and fentanyl test strips, and no ID, insurance or library card is required. Naloxone is sold over the counter at many pharmacies, and the Washington State Department of Health's naloxone finder maps free locations by county.
Signs of an opioid overdose include slow or stopped breathing, blue or gray lips, pinpoint pupils and being unresponsive. Anyone who sees these signs should call 911, give naloxone and stay with the person. If the person does not respond within a few minutes, a second dose may be needed. Placing someone on their side after breathing resumes helps keep the airway clear while waiting for paramedics. Washington's Good Samaritan law offers some legal protection to people who call for help during an overdose. MedicalDaily will track the next weekly counts from the medical examiner.
Key Questions Answered
How many overdose deaths did King County list that week?
Sixteen from Sept. 21 to 25, based on King County Medical Examiner listings compiled by The Center Square. Most of the deaths occurred in mid-September.
Where did the deaths occur?
Ten in Seattle, three in Kent and one each in Bellevue, Shoreline and Kirkland.
Which drugs were involved?
At least 11 deaths involved fentanyl, at least 10 involved methamphetamine, and at least five involved cocaine, often in combination.
Why is fentanyl mixed with stimulants so dangerous?
Opioids slow breathing while stimulants strain the heart, and a stimulant can mask the warning signs of an opioid overdose.
Does naloxone work if a stimulant is involved?
Naloxone reverses the opioid part of an overdose. It does not reverse stimulants, so calling 911 is still essential.
Where can people get free naloxone in King County?
At county harm reduction vending machines, at every Seattle Public Library location, and at places listed on the state's naloxone finder.
Published by Medicaldaily.com
