I’ve lived in Airway Heights for 68 years. I’ve watched this town grow from a quiet outpost into a place with its own rhythm — shaped by the roar of jets overhead, the hum of the correctional facility, and the steady pulse of families making a life out here on the edge of Spokane.
But I’ve also seen something else — something that doesn’t make much noise. Addiction.
It used to be hidden. Now it’s everywhere. In our schools, our trailers, our churches. Meth. Fentanyl. Alcohol. Pills. It doesn’t care if you wear a uniform, punch a clock, or raise grandkids. It just takes.
What’s Happening in Our Town
Airway Heights may be small, but it’s not untouched. Washington state’s overdose death rate has climbed to 46 per 100,000 residents, with fentanyl involved in nearly 70% of those deaths. Methamphetamine use is rising again, and alcohol-related deaths top 3,000 per year statewide.
I’ve lost neighbors. One worked at the base. Another was a single mom who never missed a PTA meeting. Addiction doesn’t ask permission.
What We Need
We need more than just clinics. We need places that understand rural life. That know what it means to live paycheck to paycheck, to drive 40 minutes for care, to feel invisible. We need counselors who listen, programs that don’t shame, and communities that show up.
If you’re looking for help, or helping someone who is, this recovery lifeline worth holding onto connects folks in Airway Heights to accredited inpatient centers, personalized care, and confidential support. It’s not just a website — it’s a way forward.
From One Washingtonian to Another
If you’re struggling, I want you to know something: you’re not weak. You’re not broken. You’re not alone. You’re part of this town. And in Airway Heights, we may be small — but we look out for each other.
So take that first step. Ask for help. Because healing doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with courage.