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Dunn welcomes nearly 500 to 6th annual King County Substance Use Recovery Conference

July 23, 2026

Nearly 500 attendees came together Thursday for the sixth annual King County Substance Use Recovery Conference, focused around a theme of “Forward Together.” This year’s conference, hosted at Renton Technical College, emphasized the importance of collective action, shared responsibility, and community partnerships in supporting recovery and addressing substance use across King County.

“This is life-saving work,” said King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “Far too many people in King County have had their lives tragically impacted by substance use. I know from firsthand experience how critical it is that we stay focused on our goal of helping folks find treatment and building a community that supports recovery.”

Councilmember Dunn was joined by more than a dozen local elected officials, community leaders, and staff from the office of King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. In recent years, Dunn has worked with colleagues to support funding for new regional Crisis Care Centers, a sobering center, expanded mobile treatment teams, and additional harm reduction services.

This year’s keynote speaker was Regina LaBelle, professor of Addiction Policy at Georgetown University and a drug policy advisor in both the Biden and Obama Administrations, as well as former legal counsel to Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. She spoke about how aligned local, state, and federal policy, combined with community partnerships and action, can advance recovery in King County.

"As we face a shifting drug supply, the theme of 'Forward Together' takes on added importance,” LaBelle said. “This convening recognizes that recovery isn't created by an isolated program, a single government agency, or one fleeting moment in time. It's a lifelong, shared commitment to creating a future where recovery is within reach for everyone."

Dunn first launched the King County Conference on Substance Use in 2021 and successfully advocated for dedicated funding for the conference in King County’s most recent biennial budget. Dunn partnered with Public Health – Seattle & King County; the King County Department of Community and Human Services; the King County Recovery Coalition and Washington Recovery Alliance; Renton Technical College; and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to organize this year’s conference.

“The King County Conference on Substance Use and Recovery is an opportunity for us to learn from one another, strengthen our community, and hear from national leaders like Regina LaBelle, former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy,” said Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor on Behavioral Health for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “With innovations such as Crisis Care Centers and the Overdose Recovery and Care Access Center, we are expanding access to services in ways that meet people where they are, support meaningful engagement, and bring recovery within reach for anyone who seeks it.”

The conference brought together treatment providers, community partners, and representatives from state, county, city, and tribal governments to discuss approaches to delivering recovery services and care in South King County. Breakout sessions included a presentation by the Department of Community and Human Services on newly funded Crisis Care Centers, as well as a panel hosted by the Washington Recovery Alliance on culturally responsive recovery.

Renton Technical College highlighted its Wellbriety Center, which supports students in recovery. Attendees heard powerful stories from youth and young adults navigating recovery. In a major announcement, the Seattle Indian Health Board shared plans to reopen the Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon Island.

After years of growth, fatal overdoses in King County began to decline in 2025. However, the fentanyl crisis remains a serious threat, with King County recording 927 confirmed overdose deaths in 2025, and fentanyl being involved in 76% of fatal overdoses.

Anyone who is struggling with mental health or substance use disorders can get connected to treatment and resources by calling SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or the Washington State Recovery Helpline: 1-866-789-1511.