I seriously doubt we’ll see much change in the status quo based on this bill. It’s watered down enough that most public usage of drugs will still essentially be legal but allows city officials to point to something to absolve themselves of any responsibility. Seattle will continue to be the most permissive jurisdiction in the state for drug users and as such will overwhelming bear the brunt of the current drug epeidemix.

Restart the drug war? Give me a break! If the council (worthless Lewis) had passed the resolution giving the city attorney the ability to prosecute misdemeanor drug charges the police could be using it to clear the mess at 3rd and Pike referring people to treatment first. But if they don’t comply jailing them if necessary as a last resort. No one has a right to smoke fentanyl then flop down on the sidewalk, or stand there bent over in a stupor.

It’s quite clear a hands off approach is killing more people due to overdose. It’s also leading to more people in crisis. That’s not a way to live. Shoplifting and stealing to buy more blues and not caring where they smoke it or litter their tin foil. The Stranger must think that’s the solution let them get high till they die. That’s a war on the lives of addicts. I think a supposed war on drugs is better than the Strangers way.

Not to sound naïve, but it sounds like this author, the some on city council, seem to believe there's a huge backlog of junkies seeking treatment and they just can't get in. Is this true?