Methamphetamine Use in Washington Reaches All-Time High in People Who Use Fentanyl, Adding Fuel to the Fentanyl Crisis

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--While the state of Washington grapples with its ongoing fentanyl crisis, a dangerous trend in the co-use of methamphetamine has emerged that may significantly impact an already challenging situation. According to Millennium Health’s Signals Report™ for Washington state, a staggering 76% of urine drug test specimens collected in 2023 from those who used fentanyl also contained methamphetamine, an increase of over 8,000% since 2013.

Methamphetamine positivity rates among people who use fentanyl for the four most-populated counties in 2023 were:

• Snohomish County – 81%
• King County – 75%
• Pierce County – 75%
• Spokane County – 52%

“The striking increases we’re seeing in methamphetamine use among people who use fentanyl adds a new layer of complexity to the fight,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Angela G. Huskey, PharmD, CPE. “Consistent with national trends, the overwhelming majority of people in Washington who use fentanyl engage in polysubstance use—now mostly involving the use of methamphetamine—which creates unique treatment challenges.”

Former Washington Senator Steve O’Ban adds, “In all my years serving on legislative healthcare, human services, and behavioral health committees, I’ve had a front row seat watching how illicit drug use impacts our state. This new data brings to light an urgent need to find solutions to this growing crisis. I am confident that we can work together to help to stem this tide that is destroying our families and our local communities.”

Additional information regarding current drug use trends can be found here.

About Millennium Health

Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory with over 15 years of experience in drug testing. We provide objective information about patients’ recent use of prescription medications and/or illicit drugs which helps clinicians monitor and treat millions of Americans living with chronic pain, substance use disorders, mental health disorders or other health conditions. Our ability to monitor drug use trends allows us to alert clinicians, health agencies and others to real-time drug use changes to help inform more targeted drug overdose prevention and response strategies to save lives.