King County Councilmember Regan Dunn is inviting you to attend the third-annual substance use disorder conference.

Officially dubbed the King County Conference on Substance Use Disorders, it is being held on May 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Bellevue College. You can attend the free event live or virtually. At least a couple of sessions are in-person only.

According to Dunn’s office, substance use and related deaths have been skyrocketing: fatal overdoses have doubled in King County over the last two years; there has been a 550% increase in fentanyl-related deaths between 2019 and 2022; and direst responders were called to more than 6,000 non-fatal overdose incidents last year.

The conference is billed as a way to learn more about substance use disorders, especially for people who struggle with drug or alcohol use, or those who have a loved one who does. The day’s agenda includes panels on recovery in King County, how to spot overdoses and what to do, reducing stigma about substance use disorders, and stories of hope.

This year’s conference features national recovery activist Ryan Hampton, author of “UNSETTLED” and “American Fix”.

“Centering the voices of people in recovery and those with lived experience is critical to curbing overdose deaths. Those closest to the problem are also closest to the solution,” Hampton said in a press release. “I look forward to joining King County advocates and policymakers as we work toward forward thinking solutions that will create a big tent for all those in and seeking recovery from substance use disorders in Washington state and across the country.”

TO RSVP for the conference, head to bit.ly/3TwXn9h or email Dunn at reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov.