BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington leaders are continuing to work together to combat the opioid crisis.

On Friday, Oct. 25, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen joined local leaders to speak about collective efforts to support communities and individuals impacted by the opioid epidemic. Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire and Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu were among the speakers at the event.

Earlier this week, Larsen introduced the Closing the Substance Use Care Gap Act, which focused on harm reduction and expanding access to lifesaving programs and treatments. The bill is the most recent of Larsen’s four-pillar framework for fighting the opioid crisis.

The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act will dedicate funding to multi-jurisdictional drug task forces and support partnerships between local, state, federal and Tribal agencies, and the bipartisan Protection for Reservation Occupants against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act gives Tribal courts and law enforcement expanded resources.

Finally, the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act supports individuals recovering from addiction in the workforce.

Leaders from a variety of fields and backgrounds spoke about these bills’ impact on their communities, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between local agencies, first responders, government officials and Tribal agencies.

“Working together gives everybody hope that can address these issues and address them together. We want to continue to be part of this work in the community,” Larsen said.