Seattle City Council passes drug ordinance that aligns with state

The Seattle City Council voted to pass an ordinance Tuesday that aligns the city’s drug use laws with legislation the state passed earlier this year.

With the ordinance passing in a 6-3 vote, Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers now have the ability to arrest people for using drugs in public, specifically in situations where they deem the person a threat to others. In instances where the person is instead considered a threat to themselves, an officer will be permitted to “coordinate efforts for diversion, outreach, and other alternatives to arrest,” according to the ordinance.

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office has not had the power to prosecute drug cases since 2012, according to the mayor. Ann Davison is Seattle’s current city attorney.

“Between January 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023 — the first six months of the year — Seattle has recorded 378 overdose deaths compared to 202 in the same period in 2022, an increase of 87%,” the legislation reads. “The widespread availability and use of these deadly synthetic drugs are straining city resources and, as such, negatively impacts the provision of other emergency medical services.”

https://mynorthwest.com/3931926/seattle-city-council-passes-drug-ordinance/