AUDIO – AND SAVE LIVES –
July 2, 2025 – As new data shows overdose deaths fell across the country last year, health care providers are still rushing to help people using fentanyl and other drugs.
In Washington state, some addiction specialists are working to make treatment more accessible — especially for those who are dealing with homelessness and other issues.
The Emergency Mobile Opioid Team in Everett, or EMOTE, drove through the Snohomish County community on a recent morning – looking for anyone who is unhoused and may need help.
The street medicine team’s medical director, Dr. Tom Robey, stopped to check on Kaylee Roquet. She has been staying in a cramped motel room with her dog and is about eight months pregnant. On top of all that, Roquet is also dealing with serious medical issues like high blood pressure and an infected leg wound.
She tells Robey when he visited that she had not been feeling well the past few days. The doctor tries to convince her to check into a hospital that could treat her and help with her opioid use. Roquet says she can’t right now, but asks, “Could we look at [my baby]?”
Robey says yes and pulled out a small ultrasound kit to start the procedure. Looking at the imaging displayed on his phone, he says, “The baby is in a better position this time. Ok, so there is an arm and we follow it down and there’s the little hand.”
Roquet is excited to hear about her baby and asks the doctor to take some ultrasound photos.
