Drugs

How drug policy is showing up in city council races

Open drug use is a huge problem in Seattle right now. And the issue is key in the upcoming city council election. KUOW political reporter David Hyde bring us up to speed on how drug policy is figuring into this year’s races.

Politics

'When I walk to school, I can see people shooting up.' How Seattle's drug crisis drives election debate

Chinatown-International District resident Joe Clark says the neighborhood always felt safe, until his daughter began sharing alarming stories about witnessing drug use on her walk to the school. Stories like Clark's are one reason why drug policy is now at the center of this year’s city council races. Voters tell pollsters drugs are a top issue, but what exactly do they want?

Politics

White House plan to cut drug prices could lower costs for over 100K WA seniors

The Biden White house has announced plans to negotiate lower prices on 10 drugs, which could save seniors here a lot of cash. The medications are used to treat a range of health problems including blood cancers, diabetes, heart failure and arthritis. And they’re spendy: Nationally, the 10 drugs cost people on Medicare around $3.4 billion in out-of-pocket expenses last year, according to the White House.

From needles to pipes. Seattle outreach adapts to morphing drug crisis

As overdose deaths continue to rise, harm reduction services could be a key part of curbing the deadly impact of the fentanyl crisis in Washington state. These are programs which aim to meet people using drugs where they are with no judgment and keep them alive and as healthy as possible.