Each year, hundreds of people die of an overdose in Seattle.
Now, the city is taking a step forward in trying to combat the crisis. Under a new program, Seattle Fire paramedics will be allowed to administer a new medication that helps people suffering from withdrawal.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell says the drug is known to cut the risk of death by half.
The fire chief says the Health 99 Unit, staffed with firefighter EMTs and a Human Services Department caseworker, is one part of the Seattle Fire Department's next evolution in saving lives in an opioid epidemic.
On average, firefighters have been responding to around 100 overdose patients a week, or 400 a month.
"Emergency responders on the front line of this epidemic sadly respond to overdoses on a daily basis," said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.