Drugs

Politics

What's so special about WA's upcoming special session?

The 2023 regular legislative session may be over, but lawmakers will be heading back to Olympia soon for a special session.

Government

Inslee announces special legislative session to pass new drug possession law

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday he's calling for a special legislative session to begin on May 16, so lawmakers can finalize new drug possession penalties and addiction treatment options.

Crime

In absence of state law, Washington cities seek bans on public drug use

Dozens of cities in Washington state are considering new bans on possession or public use of illegal drugs. That’s after state legislators failed to reach an agreement on a new drug law in the final hours of the session.

Week in Review: drugs, guns, and housing

Bill Radke discusses the week’s news with PubliCola’s Erica Barnett, Seattle Channel’s Brian Callanan, and KUOW’s David Hyde.

Government

WA GOP representatives explain why they couldn't vote for the Blake fix

In the last hours of the session on Sunday night in Olympia, the state House failed to pass a critical fix to drug possession law in Washington. The state’s Supreme Court threw out the old felony drug possession penalty back in 2021. The temporary stopgap, which classifies drug possession as a misdemeanor, is due to expire July 1.

Crime

Seattle leaders propose ban on public drug use, but others oppose the idea

Washington state currently has a misdemeanor law against possessing drugs like fentanyl or heroin, but it's a temporary law that expires July 1. The state Legislature failed to act to replace it during the session that ended last week.

Health

How the implosion of WA’s drug possession law could spell disaster for addiction support services

The State Legislature session ended Sunday. One bill that didn't make it into law: a replacement for the state’s drug possession law, which times out in July. That means drug possession could soon be legal at the state level. It also means a system of support for people with substance use disorder is in hanging in the balance. We’ll learn more about the potential impact from UW Research professor Caleb Banta-Green.

Government

Mayor Harrell targets Seattle’s fentanyl crisis response in new executive order

The two-pronged approach addresses law enforcement and addiction treatment.

Health

Seattle’s plan to reward people for not using drugs

This week Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell issued an executive order on drug addiction. Part of the plan is to champion a pilot program that pays people to stop using drugs. The program involves a treatment method called “contingency management.” The way it works is simple: People struggling with addiction are offered rewards such as gift cards, prizes, or sometimes cash. Then, for every clean urine sample, they’re given a reward.