Pierce County is in a state of opioid crisis. Councilmember Derek Young, District 7 discusses briefly some of the hard work being done to address this crisis in our community. 

District 7 includes the communities of: 

• Gig Harbor
• Key Peninsula
• Fox Island
• Herron Island
• Raft Island
• Town of Ruston
• West Tacoma
• North Tacoma

Derek Young

Councilmember, District 7

Originally born in Indiana, Derek moved to Gig Harbor with his family at the age of 8. He attended Peninsula public schools, and after coming home from college, Derek worked in the private sector in finance and consulting.

In 1997, at the age of 21, Derek was first elected to the Gig Harbor City Council. Winning reelection three more times, he spent 16 years leading locally and regionally on growth, transportation, and budget policy. In 2015 Derek was elected to the Pierce County Council winning reelection in 2019. As a member of the Council, Derek represents District #7, which covers the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsulas, Islands, and parts of North and West Tacoma.

A recognized leader on land use and environmental issues, Derek has chaired the Community Development Committee. He also serves on the Public Safety and Human Services Committees. As Executive Pro Tem he is a member of the Council’s Rules Committee.

Derek has focused on: 

Building healthy, sustainable communities while protecting critical habitat and rural lands.

Efficient transportation systems. 

Protecting the most vulnerable among us, especially children.

Reliable behavioral and public health systems

Reforming our justice system.

Derek has represented Pierce County on many external boards and commissions at the regional and statewide level including:

National Association of Counties (Chair, Medicaid and Indigent Care Subcommittee)

Washington State Association of Counties (Co-chair, Legislative Steering Committee as well as the Federal policy and Law committees)

Puget Sound Regional Council (Growth Management Policy Board)

Tacoma-Pierce County Department of Health (Vice-Chair, Board of Health)

Puget Sound Partnership (Ecosystem Recovery Board)

He also represents counties on the following state commissions and committees:

Sentencing Guidelines Commission

Criminal Sentencing Task Force

Tax Structure Work Group

Awards

2016 Pierce Conservation District - Elected Official Award

2019 Citizens for a Healthy Bay - Clean Water Hero in Elected Office

2019 Project Child Success - Early Learning Champion and Legislative Advocate