1 00:00:10,377 --> 00:00:13,346 Hello and thank you for coming. 2 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:16,916 The drug abuse epidemic is a humanitarian crisis 3 00:00:16,916 --> 00:00:19,686 that deserves just as much urgency 4 00:00:19,919 --> 00:00:22,622 as we gave to the COVID-19 pandemic. 5 00:00:22,622 --> 00:00:26,192 Instead, every day, people on our streets are dying 6 00:00:26,593 --> 00:00:29,095 of overdose and drug-related harm. 7 00:00:30,630 --> 00:00:32,365 It's time to face the facts. 8 00:00:32,365 --> 00:00:35,101 What we've been doing these past years isn't working. 9 00:00:35,568 --> 00:00:37,771 Year over year, overdose deaths 10 00:00:38,571 --> 00:00:42,409 rose by 72%, and no neighborhood has been 11 00:00:42,409 --> 00:00:44,911 untouched by the scourge of the drug abuse epidemic. 12 00:00:45,712 --> 00:00:48,481 Recently, I signed an opioid settlement 13 00:00:48,515 --> 00:00:50,050 against producers and sellers 14 00:00:50,050 --> 00:00:53,253 and sellers of opioids to help remedy some of the harm caused. 15 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:56,156 But in Seattle, right before our eyes, 16 00:00:56,523 --> 00:00:58,591 public drug use has sadly become normal. 17 00:00:59,292 --> 00:01:01,261 Our busses are unhealthy to use. 18 00:01:01,261 --> 00:01:04,030 Our transit centers feel unsafe to wait in, 19 00:01:04,030 --> 00:01:06,332 and people walking down the street feel afraid. 20 00:01:07,133 --> 00:01:09,702 Children see it and look to adults for explanation. 21 00:01:10,170 --> 00:01:12,505 But usually they learn silence and ignoring. 22 00:01:13,106 --> 00:01:16,676 Not because they don't care, but because everyday people need 23 00:01:16,676 --> 00:01:17,844 government leaders to help. 24 00:01:18,978 --> 00:01:20,647 Open air drug markets now freely 25 00:01:20,647 --> 00:01:24,250 exist and overdose calls have skyrocketed. 26 00:01:25,218 --> 00:01:27,153 Enough is enough. 27 00:01:27,153 --> 00:01:30,223 We need to reclaim our public spaces, all of them. 28 00:01:30,890 --> 00:01:32,926 We need to intervene in the lives of people 29 00:01:32,926 --> 00:01:33,693 who are suffering. 30 00:01:33,693 --> 00:01:35,862 And to do that, we must see them 31 00:01:35,862 --> 00:01:37,230 and say that what they're doing in 32 00:01:37,230 --> 00:01:39,899 public is not okay for them or for us collectively. 33 00:01:40,633 --> 00:01:43,002 Together with Councilmember Nelson and Councilmember 34 00:01:43,002 --> 00:01:45,405 Pedersen, we are proposing legislation 35 00:01:45,405 --> 00:01:48,141 this week to discourage public use 36 00:01:49,142 --> 00:01:52,011 by, of drugs, by making it a prosecutable crime. 37 00:01:52,645 --> 00:01:55,381 This legislation is modeled after the recent Bellingham 38 00:01:55,381 --> 00:01:56,883 ordinance to reaffirm 39 00:01:56,883 --> 00:01:59,552 that public consumption of drugs is not acceptable. 40 00:02:00,153 --> 00:02:02,822 We need this tool to keep public spaces safe 41 00:02:03,223 --> 00:02:05,658 and reestablish what is accepted behavior. 42 00:02:06,192 --> 00:02:07,260 And frankly, 43 00:02:07,260 --> 00:02:09,796 we need investment from the state to open more beds 44 00:02:10,063 --> 00:02:13,533 and treatment facilities and invest in in-custody treatment. 45 00:02:14,267 --> 00:02:16,436 I turn it over now to Councilmember Nelson, 46 00:02:16,769 --> 00:02:19,172 and then Councilmember Pedersen will take questions at the end. 47 00:02:19,472 --> 00:02:26,846 Thank you. 48 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:28,414 Hello, everybody. 49 00:02:30,083 --> 00:02:33,219 Seattle's hands-off approach to people using illegal drugs 50 00:02:33,219 --> 00:02:35,989 in public has resulted in rampant street crime 51 00:02:36,356 --> 00:02:39,392 and a death toll rivaling that of COVID-19 in Seattle. 52 00:02:40,393 --> 00:02:42,595 Complacency is no longer an option. 53 00:02:43,296 --> 00:02:45,031 Cities have laws and enforcement 54 00:02:45,031 --> 00:02:47,800 to dissuade activity that is harmful to ourselves 55 00:02:48,034 --> 00:02:50,970 and to others, just like speeding in school 56 00:02:50,970 --> 00:02:53,640 zones and unlawful possession of firearms. 57 00:02:54,240 --> 00:02:57,477 And public use of deadly drugs should be no exception. 58 00:02:58,478 --> 00:02:59,445 Thank you all for coming. 59 00:02:59,445 --> 00:03:00,380 I'm Sara Nelson, 60 00:03:00,380 --> 00:03:03,816 citywide councilmember and chair of economic development. 61 00:03:04,617 --> 00:03:08,188 I recently received an email about a small business closure 62 00:03:08,188 --> 00:03:09,756 in which the owner explains 63 00:03:09,756 --> 00:03:13,193 that they managed to survive the pandemic, but, quote: 64 00:03:13,927 --> 00:03:16,663 the latest challenge with Seattle is the drugs and addicts 65 00:03:16,663 --> 00:03:19,465 severely impacting the day to day operations. 66 00:03:19,933 --> 00:03:21,734 I'm removing individuals illegally 67 00:03:21,734 --> 00:03:25,538 using substances in our doorway on average 2 to 4 times a day. 68 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,442 And he goes on to describe an attack on an employee 69 00:03:29,442 --> 00:03:33,213 and an ends by saying it's just too much to handle. 70 00:03:34,013 --> 00:03:35,248 It has crippled the business 71 00:03:35,248 --> 00:03:37,584 and more critically, it has crippled me. 72 00:03:39,285 --> 00:03:40,620 Now, this is happening to 73 00:03:40,620 --> 00:03:43,856 neighborhood businesses across our city. 74 00:03:44,357 --> 00:03:45,692 Now, here at City Hall, we're 75 00:03:45,692 --> 00:03:48,828 focused a lot on economic revitalization of downtown. 76 00:03:49,262 --> 00:03:53,433 And key to that is getting workers back to the office. 77 00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:56,669 Employers are telling me they're having a hard time doing that, 78 00:03:57,570 --> 00:04:00,707 not because workers are afraid of catching COVID on the job, 79 00:04:00,707 --> 00:04:03,710 but they are afraid to ride public transit, to work 80 00:04:04,344 --> 00:04:05,612 or walk to their office past 81 00:04:05,612 --> 00:04:08,715 people smoking fentanyl on the street. 82 00:04:08,715 --> 00:04:10,717 Meanwhile, summer is around the corner 83 00:04:10,717 --> 00:04:12,585 and parents want to be able to take their park, 84 00:04:12,585 --> 00:04:14,087 their kids to the park 85 00:04:14,087 --> 00:04:16,089 without people doing drugs right in front of them. 86 00:04:17,056 --> 00:04:19,125 So I'm just trying to paint a picture of what 87 00:04:19,125 --> 00:04:22,495 my constituents are saying and seeing across the city. 88 00:04:22,929 --> 00:04:24,864 That's what I'm doing here. 89 00:04:25,365 --> 00:04:28,334 And they want to know what we're doing about it. 90 00:04:28,701 --> 00:04:30,503 They're demanding more. 91 00:04:30,670 --> 00:04:32,672 Last year, I proposed a budget item 92 00:04:32,672 --> 00:04:35,675 that would have expanded access to addiction treatment 93 00:04:35,675 --> 00:04:38,111 because addiction lies at the intersection 94 00:04:38,111 --> 00:04:41,581 of our public safety and our homelessness crisis. 95 00:04:42,415 --> 00:04:45,118 And I remain committed to that today. 96 00:04:45,118 --> 00:04:50,523 But this is a drug crisis and people are dying. 97 00:04:50,523 --> 00:04:54,027 And we have got to face the fact that law enforcement 98 00:04:54,027 --> 00:04:57,397 is a component of our response. 99 00:04:57,397 --> 00:04:59,732 By making consumption of controlled substances 100 00:04:59,732 --> 00:05:03,603 a misdemeanor, the legislation this legislation gives 101 00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:07,607 our officers a tool to interrupt that behavior, and it provides 102 00:05:07,607 --> 00:05:11,444 the City Attorney with the ability to prosecute. 103 00:05:12,245 --> 00:05:15,281 I'm proud to stand here and announce this bill today. 104 00:05:16,416 --> 00:05:19,185 This is not controversial. 105 00:05:19,185 --> 00:05:21,254 Regardless what the legislature ends up doing on 106 00:05:21,254 --> 00:05:24,390 possession, people are dying every day. 107 00:05:24,824 --> 00:05:26,793 Let's not lose sight of that. 108 00:05:26,793 --> 00:05:29,162 Let's not lose sight of that fact. 109 00:05:30,430 --> 00:05:33,132 More simply, these drugs are illegal 110 00:05:33,700 --> 00:05:35,968 and we need a rule to prohibit their public use. 111 00:05:36,235 --> 00:05:38,538 Period. 112 00:05:44,210 --> 00:05:44,744 Good morning. 113 00:05:44,744 --> 00:05:46,612 I'm Alex Pedersen Seattle City 114 00:05:46,612 --> 00:05:49,449 Councilmember and chair of our transportation committee. 115 00:05:50,850 --> 00:05:53,553 It's not okay for people to smoke fentanyl 116 00:05:53,553 --> 00:05:55,621 or to use other illegal drugs 117 00:05:55,621 --> 00:05:59,759 in our public spaces or in our public transit. 118 00:05:59,759 --> 00:06:01,127 And the laws on the books 119 00:06:01,127 --> 00:06:04,497 need to reflect those basic health and safety standards. 120 00:06:05,398 --> 00:06:07,533 So everyone knows the Wild West 121 00:06:07,633 --> 00:06:11,838 is no longer acceptable in Seattle. 122 00:06:12,071 --> 00:06:14,173 Children walking to school, customers 123 00:06:14,173 --> 00:06:18,211 shopping at stores, workers coming downtown to their jobs. 124 00:06:18,745 --> 00:06:21,781 Transit riders taking the bus and the light rail. 125 00:06:21,781 --> 00:06:23,583 Tourists wondering whether they will 126 00:06:23,583 --> 00:06:25,985 bring their families back to Seattle. 127 00:06:25,985 --> 00:06:28,755 None of them should think that City Hall is okay 128 00:06:28,755 --> 00:06:32,291 with people smoking fentanyl or meth on our public sidewalks, 129 00:06:32,625 --> 00:06:35,762 in our parks, at our public transit stations. 130 00:06:36,596 --> 00:06:39,732 As transportation chair, I hear frequent concerns 131 00:06:39,732 --> 00:06:42,668 from transit riders about feeling unsafe 132 00:06:42,668 --> 00:06:45,304 when they encounter people using illegal drugs 133 00:06:45,738 --> 00:06:48,241 at our bus stops and in our light rail stations. 134 00:06:48,875 --> 00:06:52,879 Everyone deserves to feel safe traveling through our city, 135 00:06:52,979 --> 00:06:54,547 especially on our public transit. 136 00:06:55,648 --> 00:06:56,883 Our state government 137 00:06:56,883 --> 00:06:59,752 has left a gap in enforcement, 138 00:06:59,752 --> 00:07:01,821 so we need to fill that gap 139 00:07:01,821 --> 00:07:04,457 for health and safety. 140 00:07:04,457 --> 00:07:06,826 We know it's a severe public health crisis, 141 00:07:07,293 --> 00:07:09,462 so we need to do everything we can to address it. 142 00:07:09,996 --> 00:07:13,699 As reported earlier this month, illicit fentanyl kills 143 00:07:13,699 --> 00:07:18,004 at least two people every day in King County, 144 00:07:18,004 --> 00:07:20,206 and the powerful opioid 145 00:07:20,206 --> 00:07:23,209 was responsible for over 700 fatal overdoses 146 00:07:23,209 --> 00:07:26,446 last year, roughly triple the death toll of traffic 147 00:07:26,446 --> 00:07:28,681 crashes and gun violence combined. 148 00:07:29,982 --> 00:07:32,251 That was reported in the Seattle Times. 149 00:07:32,251 --> 00:07:33,920 And when our fentanyl is combined 150 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:35,054 with methamphetamine, 151 00:07:35,054 --> 00:07:37,723 the result is even more devastating for public health. 152 00:07:39,125 --> 00:07:41,994 We all need to play a part in the solution. 153 00:07:42,462 --> 00:07:45,731 Earlier this week, King County voters chose to build 154 00:07:46,232 --> 00:07:48,968 five new crisis care treatment centers. 155 00:07:48,968 --> 00:07:52,004 King County continues to operate its program 156 00:07:52,004 --> 00:07:55,274 for mental illness and drug dependency, the MIDD program. 157 00:07:55,808 --> 00:07:58,044 Our city government partners are the King County 158 00:07:58,044 --> 00:08:00,279 Regional Homelessness Authority to fund outreach 159 00:08:00,279 --> 00:08:03,483 workers, shelter and housing from various nonprofits. 160 00:08:04,383 --> 00:08:07,420 We also need our state legislature to provide 161 00:08:07,420 --> 00:08:10,556 additional funds to treat substance use disorder. 162 00:08:11,424 --> 00:08:12,291 And yes, 163 00:08:12,291 --> 00:08:15,461 our justice system also needs to play a productive part 164 00:08:15,862 --> 00:08:19,565 and they need clear legal tools and direction to intervene 165 00:08:19,765 --> 00:08:22,301 when illegal drugs are used in public spaces. 166 00:08:23,102 --> 00:08:25,404 A misdemeanor is the bare minimum we should be 167 00:08:25,404 --> 00:08:28,407 implementing for illegal drug use in our public spaces. 168 00:08:29,275 --> 00:08:30,743 I want to thank our City Attorney 169 00:08:30,743 --> 00:08:33,579 for taking the initiative in drafting this ordinance 170 00:08:34,013 --> 00:08:36,949 so that we can take this through the legislative process 171 00:08:37,149 --> 00:08:38,584 here at City Council 172 00:08:38,584 --> 00:08:41,521 and get something effective for Mayor Harold to sign. 173 00:08:42,054 --> 00:08:44,023 Because our mayor has stated very publicly 174 00:08:44,023 --> 00:08:46,158 that he's focused on public health and safety, 175 00:08:46,592 --> 00:08:48,661 as well as the recovery of downtown. 176 00:08:49,562 --> 00:08:50,596 I also look forward to working 177 00:08:50,596 --> 00:08:52,265 with my colleague, Councilmember Sara Nelson, 178 00:08:52,265 --> 00:08:54,667 who chairs the Economic Development Committee. 179 00:08:54,667 --> 00:08:57,270 And both of us serve on the City's Public Safety Committee. 180 00:08:58,004 --> 00:08:58,604 Thank you. 181 00:08:58,604 --> 00:09:01,741 Now I'll take questions. 182 00:09:03,576 --> 00:09:06,879 (off-screen) At this time we can maybe take a question from each of you 183 00:09:06,879 --> 00:09:10,216 and then follow-up time. I think I heard Matt first and then Erica. 184 00:09:10,950 --> 00:09:13,052 (off-screen) A question for all three of you. 185 00:09:13,052 --> 00:09:14,921 The governor just said a few minutes ago 186 00:09:14,921 --> 00:09:18,090 that he's in negotiations with the leadership of the House 187 00:09:18,090 --> 00:09:20,593 and Senate on a fix and hope 188 00:09:20,593 --> 00:09:22,161 that in the next few days he'll announce 189 00:09:22,161 --> 00:09:24,463 a special session day in May. 190 00:09:24,463 --> 00:09:28,134 My question is, would you rather have a statewide fix 191 00:09:28,601 --> 00:09:32,405 or that may preempt cities from enacting their own laws 192 00:09:32,405 --> 00:09:33,406 regarding this? 193 00:09:33,406 --> 00:09:36,609 Or would you rather have city control over drug possession 194 00:09:36,742 --> 00:09:39,645 and use of city, the use of drugs on the street? 195 00:09:39,946 --> 00:09:42,748 Which one would you prefer? 196 00:09:43,983 --> 00:09:45,484 -I think it's important to understand 197 00:09:45,484 --> 00:09:47,219 that cities are going to be the ones 198 00:09:47,219 --> 00:09:49,255 facing the brunt of this. 199 00:09:49,255 --> 00:09:51,157 When we look at the face of addiction, 200 00:09:51,157 --> 00:09:52,858 it is all-encompassing. 201 00:09:52,858 --> 00:09:54,860 It is, crosses, all walks of life 202 00:09:54,860 --> 00:09:57,129 and all socio economic classes. 203 00:09:57,129 --> 00:09:59,198 And I think it's important for them to understand that 204 00:09:59,231 --> 00:10:03,002 we are going to have that role, recreating social fabric. 205 00:10:03,069 --> 00:10:05,404 And often the budget doesn't roll downhill. 206 00:10:05,671 --> 00:10:07,640 We need to have treatment beds available. 207 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:11,344 The goal is always recovery, to disrupt antisocial behavior, 208 00:10:11,644 --> 00:10:13,446 to encourage people into treatment 209 00:10:13,446 --> 00:10:17,650 and to make our streets, parks and busses safer. 210 00:10:18,384 --> 00:10:19,485 -Can I. Can I. 211 00:10:19,485 --> 00:10:21,520 -I'm sorry. Go ahead. -Thank you. 212 00:10:22,622 --> 00:10:24,457 We could have both on the books. 213 00:10:24,457 --> 00:10:26,158 It really depends on the details of 214 00:10:26,158 --> 00:10:28,260 what is worked out at the state level. 215 00:10:28,260 --> 00:10:29,061 You know, they said they were going 216 00:10:29,061 --> 00:10:30,563 to act in the past and they didn't. 217 00:10:30,563 --> 00:10:32,131 So we shouldn't as people are dying 218 00:10:32,131 --> 00:10:34,233 every day, we shouldn't delay here. 219 00:10:34,233 --> 00:10:37,803 But depending on how they write it, we're talking about use 220 00:10:37,803 --> 00:10:39,672 in a public space. They're talking about 221 00:10:39,672 --> 00:10:41,807 possession, which is a wider category. 222 00:10:41,807 --> 00:10:44,210 So there's a way to have both laws on the books. 223 00:10:44,276 --> 00:10:46,412 (off-screen) In the previous bills, there was an inclusion 224 00:10:46,412 --> 00:10:49,148 about use in open space that would be prohibited. 225 00:10:49,148 --> 00:10:52,852 It would be would not be allowed, but that's statewide. 226 00:10:53,185 --> 00:10:57,189 Would you prefer local control or statewide control? 227 00:10:57,189 --> 00:11:00,660 -They're not going to be inconsistent then, 228 00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:02,428 if that's what they do, because we would. 229 00:11:02,428 --> 00:11:04,697 This is about public use. 230 00:11:04,697 --> 00:11:05,765 And if they have it as public 231 00:11:05,765 --> 00:11:09,468 use then, it'll it'll dovetail well. 232 00:11:11,003 --> 00:11:13,639 (off-screen) What do you all anticipate the actual impact of 233 00:11:13,639 --> 00:11:14,674 this will be? 234 00:11:14,674 --> 00:11:17,677 The jails are fairly full. 235 00:11:17,677 --> 00:11:21,514 And so saying, you know, we're going to crack down on this, 236 00:11:22,314 --> 00:11:24,583 you know, this is one thing, but actually 237 00:11:24,583 --> 00:11:27,019 effectuating any change on the street is another. 238 00:11:28,087 --> 00:11:30,489 You know, and SPD has said that they're going to focus 239 00:11:30,489 --> 00:11:31,457 just the other day, that they're going 240 00:11:31,457 --> 00:11:34,794 to focus on higher level dealers and the traffickers. 241 00:11:34,827 --> 00:11:37,196 So, you know, how do you square that 242 00:11:37,229 --> 00:11:38,130 and what resources 243 00:11:38,130 --> 00:11:40,266 are you going to be able to put in to actually make 244 00:11:41,233 --> 00:11:43,636 a visible difference? 245 00:11:46,205 --> 00:11:49,108 -The City Attorney can speak more about the 246 00:11:49,108 --> 00:11:52,511 about the jail and issues outside of our control here 247 00:11:52,511 --> 00:11:55,081 at City Council. But I'll just say this. 248 00:11:55,081 --> 00:11:58,184 We need to establish rules so that people know 249 00:11:58,584 --> 00:11:59,985 what is acceptable behavior 250 00:11:59,985 --> 00:12:03,456 and what they stand to be in violation of. 251 00:12:03,489 --> 00:12:04,590 And like I said before, 252 00:12:04,590 --> 00:12:08,327 this provides a tool for officers to enforce 253 00:12:09,328 --> 00:12:11,430 the the rules on the books. 254 00:12:11,430 --> 00:12:15,267 So I would say that, yes, I recognize that - 255 00:12:15,301 --> 00:12:18,370 not talking about the jails being full - our officers 256 00:12:19,405 --> 00:12:21,073 are stretched thin. 257 00:12:21,073 --> 00:12:24,243 And so, you know, people are going to ask about, 258 00:12:24,243 --> 00:12:26,278 well, how are they going to enforce this there? 259 00:12:26,278 --> 00:12:27,913 And I recognize that they are 260 00:12:27,913 --> 00:12:31,917 at you know, they're down 30% of their of their force. 261 00:12:31,917 --> 00:12:33,486 And we need to make sure 262 00:12:33,486 --> 00:12:36,021 that they've got adequate staffing levels to be able 263 00:12:36,021 --> 00:12:37,757 to improve the public safety 264 00:12:37,757 --> 00:12:39,759 of people and businesses across the city. 265 00:12:40,326 --> 00:12:42,962 What I'm worried about right now is getting the basics right 266 00:12:43,462 --> 00:12:47,333 in basic and making explicit that we don't allow 267 00:12:47,700 --> 00:12:51,470 the public use of illegal drugs. 268 00:12:53,672 --> 00:12:59,512 (muffled off-screen voices) 269 00:13:01,347 --> 00:13:03,883 -I just support every avenue to get people into treatment. 270 00:13:04,183 --> 00:13:06,952 We need to be investing in in-custody treatment as well. 271 00:13:07,153 --> 00:13:08,087 And we will continue to work 272 00:13:08,087 --> 00:13:09,522 with our diversion partners, again, 273 00:13:09,522 --> 00:13:13,626 with a goal of getting people into treatment and recovery. 274 00:13:14,560 --> 00:13:16,595 (off-screen) This would be perhaps for the City Attorney as well. 275 00:13:16,896 --> 00:13:18,564 So we're talking with councilmember, King 276 00:13:18,564 --> 00:13:20,232 County Councilmember Reagan Dunn yesterday, 277 00:13:20,232 --> 00:13:22,501 he said that you two were in conversation 278 00:13:22,501 --> 00:13:25,304 over what he has proposed for King County. 279 00:13:25,604 --> 00:13:27,673 How does this new ordinance 280 00:13:27,907 --> 00:13:29,909 proposed here in Seattle, how does that stack up? 281 00:13:29,942 --> 00:13:32,211 Is there similarities? Are there differences? 282 00:13:32,244 --> 00:13:34,079 Because I know there's a concern that you could go city 283 00:13:34,079 --> 00:13:36,682 to city and county to county and you would have different 284 00:13:37,049 --> 00:13:38,250 public drug use bans. 285 00:13:39,451 --> 00:13:40,753 -I just learned of his 286 00:13:40,753 --> 00:13:42,721 action yesterday with with a news release. 287 00:13:42,721 --> 00:13:44,089 That's the first I'd heard of it. 288 00:13:44,089 --> 00:13:44,557 And again, 289 00:13:44,557 --> 00:13:46,492 it is working with our councilmembers 290 00:13:46,492 --> 00:13:48,561 here about what we are hearing from people in the city, 291 00:13:48,761 --> 00:13:50,362 which is they are wanting to have safer 292 00:13:50,362 --> 00:13:51,964 streets, parks and busses, 293 00:13:51,964 --> 00:13:53,332 and we are needing to say that 294 00:13:53,332 --> 00:13:55,634 the use of controlled substances is a crime 295 00:13:55,835 --> 00:13:57,269 and we need to be working 296 00:13:57,269 --> 00:13:59,104 with the diversion partners to get people into treatment. 297 00:13:59,104 --> 00:14:00,973 That is always the goal and the focus 298 00:14:00,973 --> 00:14:02,641 and we need the state and local lawmakers 299 00:14:02,641 --> 00:14:04,777 to use the funds that have been tagged for this 300 00:14:04,777 --> 00:14:07,479 to get us the beds we need for the treatment. 301 00:14:07,847 --> 00:14:10,683 (off-screen) So just clarifying, is there like you guys look at potential 302 00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:15,120 jail time for offenders or anything specific like that? 303 00:14:15,721 --> 00:14:17,890 Again, we will continue to work with our diversion partners 304 00:14:18,090 --> 00:14:20,826 and we I support every avenue to get people into treatment. 305 00:14:21,727 --> 00:14:25,097 The focus here is to make our streets, busses and parks safer. 306 00:14:25,264 --> 00:14:27,867 And this is one of those ways we can do that. 307 00:14:30,236 --> 00:14:32,605 (off-screen) Question for the councilmembers, 308 00:14:32,605 --> 00:14:37,610 why now, instead of waiting a month. 309 00:14:37,610 --> 00:14:38,844 Why introduce this now? 310 00:14:38,844 --> 00:14:39,912 Instead of waiting to see what 311 00:14:39,912 --> 00:14:44,283 the state does and filling in the gaps? 312 00:14:44,283 --> 00:14:47,620 -Let's remember that that gap is because of the Blake decision 313 00:14:47,820 --> 00:14:50,756 and because the temporary fix is going to expire. 314 00:14:50,756 --> 00:14:52,658 And so that is what they're focusing on. 315 00:14:52,658 --> 00:14:53,792 Possession. 316 00:14:53,792 --> 00:14:55,895 We are focused on the use of public 317 00:14:56,161 --> 00:14:58,330 of illegal drugs in the public. 318 00:14:58,330 --> 00:15:01,667 So the you know, there are two separate 319 00:15:02,534 --> 00:15:05,037 they're two separate things and they should both. 320 00:15:05,838 --> 00:15:07,139 Ideally, we would be 321 00:15:07,139 --> 00:15:09,408 doing this in tandem, but that is not what. 322 00:15:10,309 --> 00:15:11,810 That is not our reality right now. 323 00:15:11,810 --> 00:15:13,779 And so we're responding to the crisis at hand. 324 00:15:17,249 --> 00:15:18,851 (off-screen) Along with this 325 00:15:18,851 --> 00:15:22,521 proposed legislation, will you be pursuing any parallel efforts 326 00:15:22,521 --> 00:15:25,257 to increase funding or access to treatment? 327 00:15:29,662 --> 00:15:30,763 -Well, we want the state 328 00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:33,966 legislature to act to provide more money for treatment. 329 00:15:33,966 --> 00:15:37,803 They apparently had some money available, but part of them 330 00:15:38,003 --> 00:15:42,508 not passing the the misdemeanor or possession 331 00:15:42,508 --> 00:15:45,544 law, the treatment money was lost with that. 332 00:15:45,544 --> 00:15:47,813 So we're hoping that they deliver 333 00:15:47,813 --> 00:15:49,748 those treatment funds as well. 334 00:15:49,748 --> 00:15:53,552 That's why we want we still want them to act. 335 00:15:53,852 --> 00:15:54,720 (off-screen) Thank you. 336 00:15:55,020 --> 00:15:56,956 -Can I just add to that. 337 00:15:56,956 --> 00:15:59,825 As the person who has received treatment, let me address that. 338 00:16:00,259 --> 00:16:03,362 We absolutely have to increase funding for treatment. 339 00:16:03,362 --> 00:16:06,332 And more importantly, we have to remove barriers to access. 340 00:16:06,699 --> 00:16:09,501 And the Executive Order that was issued by the mayor 341 00:16:09,501 --> 00:16:12,705 this last week does contain one component which 342 00:16:13,405 --> 00:16:16,842 expands the methodology that we can use 343 00:16:16,842 --> 00:16:18,510 to treat substance use disorder, 344 00:16:18,510 --> 00:16:20,145 and that is contingency management. 345 00:16:20,145 --> 00:16:24,516 And I spoke out in favor of that because it rewards people for 346 00:16:24,850 --> 00:16:25,718 sobriety 347 00:16:25,718 --> 00:16:28,020 and hopefully they can make a decision 348 00:16:28,020 --> 00:16:29,922 about their future, about perhaps 349 00:16:29,922 --> 00:16:32,124 going into recovery based treatment 350 00:16:32,124 --> 00:16:33,926 once they've gotten that respite. 351 00:16:33,926 --> 00:16:38,263 And so, yes, we absolutely have to to increase funding. 352 00:16:38,263 --> 00:16:42,735 That program that I just spoke of is funded by the opioid 353 00:16:42,968 --> 00:16:44,770 distributors settlement. 354 00:16:44,770 --> 00:16:47,373 And we will see what happens at the state level. 355 00:16:47,373 --> 00:16:50,843 But I would say that it's not just more money, 356 00:16:50,876 --> 00:16:54,747 it's money for what. 357 00:16:54,747 --> 00:16:56,148 (off-screen) Yeah, two quick things. 358 00:16:56,148 --> 00:16:59,184 One clarification, is this legislation 359 00:16:59,184 --> 00:17:02,788 you're proposing simply public use or is it also 360 00:17:02,955 --> 00:17:04,890 possession as well? 361 00:17:04,890 --> 00:17:08,761 And then with regards to the state legislation that failed, 362 00:17:09,361 --> 00:17:12,631 it was largely a block of Seattle lawmakers 363 00:17:12,631 --> 00:17:13,866 that voted against it. 364 00:17:13,866 --> 00:17:16,001 The Democrats could have passed it on their own. 365 00:17:16,168 --> 00:17:18,637 What's your message to your own representatives 366 00:17:18,971 --> 00:17:22,841 that blocked this bill from passing? 367 00:17:22,841 --> 00:17:25,277 -This is a public use, 368 00:17:25,277 --> 00:17:25,844 which is a 369 00:17:25,844 --> 00:17:27,780 would be a subset of possession, is a right 370 00:17:27,780 --> 00:17:30,182 that the state legislature was talking about possession. 371 00:17:30,449 --> 00:17:32,284 There was not there was not agreement. 372 00:17:32,284 --> 00:17:34,186 There was no compromise found. 373 00:17:34,186 --> 00:17:39,024 What we are saying is it is time to solve the problems 374 00:17:39,224 --> 00:17:41,860 and focus on what they are supposed to do. 375 00:17:42,094 --> 00:17:44,663 We put lawmakers there to help us make laws. 376 00:17:44,897 --> 00:17:46,832 We need those because we are dealing 377 00:17:46,832 --> 00:17:49,034 with the problems on a day to day basis 378 00:17:49,034 --> 00:17:51,303 with our streets and our parks and our busses 379 00:17:51,303 --> 00:17:54,406 being unsafe and people then dying in the midst. 380 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,242 So it is important that we have that going forward. 381 00:17:57,543 --> 00:17:59,078 So this is just a use 382 00:17:59,078 --> 00:18:01,113 because that is the part that is absent at the moment 383 00:18:01,380 --> 00:18:05,918 where we can be instrumental in helping to make those safer. 384 00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:11,924 (off-screen) Yeah, I 385 00:18:12,891 --> 00:18:15,627 follow-up, I speak to addicts every single day 386 00:18:15,727 --> 00:18:18,430 and they say to me police aren’t going to do anything about it. 387 00:18:18,430 --> 00:18:20,632 Prosecutors do anything about it. 388 00:18:20,632 --> 00:18:22,334 Why is this only going to be a misdemeanor? 389 00:18:22,334 --> 00:18:26,038 Why not make it a felony to send a stronger message? 390 00:18:26,038 --> 00:18:31,243 -As you would know, that the state statute that was found 391 00:18:31,243 --> 00:18:33,145 unconstitutional was for Class B felony. 392 00:18:33,145 --> 00:18:34,513 That's what would come into effect 393 00:18:34,513 --> 00:18:36,582 July 1st when this temporary fix expires. 394 00:18:37,082 --> 00:18:39,618 In our view that the current temporary fix 395 00:18:39,885 --> 00:18:41,687 puts the state law as a misdemeanor. 396 00:18:41,687 --> 00:18:43,655 So we should not be going above that. 397 00:18:43,655 --> 00:18:44,990 We cannot go above that 398 00:18:44,990 --> 00:18:47,459 as we cannot make it a gross misdemeanor or anything else. 399 00:18:47,726 --> 00:18:49,294 That's why this is that. 400 00:18:49,294 --> 00:18:51,363 After July 1st, if there's not a compromise, 401 00:18:51,363 --> 00:18:53,899 then there is the ability to go up. 402 00:18:53,899 --> 00:18:54,733 (off-screen) Would you consider that? 403 00:18:54,733 --> 00:18:57,302 And that's ultimately what I was asking. 404 00:18:57,302 --> 00:19:00,205 If there's nothing, you know, no compromise before 405 00:19:00,439 --> 00:19:01,740 July, would you consider making this a felony? 406 00:19:03,642 --> 00:19:05,010 -As I said, we can't do that 407 00:19:05,010 --> 00:19:06,712 because it is contrary to state law. 408 00:19:06,712 --> 00:19:08,046 The current temporary fix 409 00:19:08,046 --> 00:19:10,015 is set as a misdemeanor for possession. 410 00:19:10,015 --> 00:19:11,783 And that's why this has to be set as that, 411 00:19:11,783 --> 00:19:13,886 because we have to be following what is already set 412 00:19:13,886 --> 00:19:15,888 there, even in the temporary fix in state law. 413 00:19:16,121 --> 00:19:18,524 (off-screen) This would be for the councilmembers, at this point 414 00:19:18,991 --> 00:19:22,094 are you getting buy in right now from your other members? 415 00:19:22,427 --> 00:19:23,829 Are you getting some push back right now? 416 00:19:23,829 --> 00:19:25,797 Who do you think will stand with you two right now? 417 00:19:25,797 --> 00:19:28,700 -Well, I’ve learned not to predict. 418 00:19:34,706 --> 00:19:36,942 I've learned not to make predictions, but I am hopeful 419 00:19:37,509 --> 00:19:41,046 because I represent the same people that they do, and we're 420 00:19:41,046 --> 00:19:45,417 all hearing the same stories and so I am optimistic that 421 00:19:45,851 --> 00:19:49,321 we can move forward. 422 00:19:52,891 --> 00:19:53,425 -Can I add one for that? 423 00:19:53,425 --> 00:19:54,693 No, I just to say that 424 00:19:54,693 --> 00:19:56,061 I think City Councilmembers 425 00:19:56,061 --> 00:19:58,263 will hear that this is a common sense approach 426 00:19:58,463 --> 00:20:00,599 to making our parks, busses and streets safer 427 00:20:00,766 --> 00:20:03,735 and getting people into treatment. 428 00:20:05,003 --> 00:20:07,506 (off-screen) Have you guys received feedback from Seattle Police 429 00:20:07,506 --> 00:20:10,542 on this specific legislation about enforcing this and 430 00:20:10,676 --> 00:20:17,649 what were their thoughts and what did they say? 431 00:20:17,649 --> 00:20:19,751 -We wanted you to hear it first. 432 00:20:19,751 --> 00:20:23,622 This is all happening very fast. 433 00:20:23,622 --> 00:20:25,123 And we have 434 00:20:25,123 --> 00:20:27,993 we have notified them and the mayor's office is is 435 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:30,596 leading on that communication. 436 00:20:30,596 --> 00:20:33,799 Based on what I have heard in the past, I don't see 437 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:39,905 this would be met with resistance. 438 00:20:40,539 --> 00:20:43,141 (off-screen) So I'm interested to kind of understand, 439 00:20:43,141 --> 00:20:45,510 you mentioned the drug reward program. 440 00:20:45,510 --> 00:20:48,747 Are you going to be working with Plymouth Housing on this? 441 00:20:48,747 --> 00:20:50,182 Is it going to be a collaborative approach 442 00:20:50,182 --> 00:20:54,386 or how does this play into this ordinance? 443 00:20:54,386 --> 00:20:56,154 -This is this is. 444 00:20:56,154 --> 00:20:58,223 What you're referring to, which is the contingency 445 00:20:58,223 --> 00:21:01,560 management program or the gift card program? 446 00:21:02,194 --> 00:21:04,263 That is not part of what we're talking about right now. 447 00:21:05,097 --> 00:21:08,233 But just for some information about that, 448 00:21:08,233 --> 00:21:10,502 it is going to be Plymouth Housing as a partner 449 00:21:10,502 --> 00:21:12,838 with the City because it's those residents 450 00:21:12,838 --> 00:21:14,373 that will be enrolled in that program. 451 00:21:15,974 --> 00:21:16,742 -Thank you. 452 00:21:16,742 --> 00:21:17,609 That's all 453 00:21:17,609 --> 00:21:20,245 the time...- Wait can I say one more thing on the record. 454 00:21:20,245 --> 00:21:23,682 I just want to thank city attorney and Davison, 455 00:21:23,682 --> 00:21:25,951 because it is 456 00:21:26,618 --> 00:21:28,920 it's wonderful to work with you on a shared priority 457 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,590 and thank you very much for for the urgency. 458 00:21:32,291 --> 00:21:33,425 Thank you. 459 00:21:33,425 --> 00:21:34,526 And also you. 460 00:21:36,295 --> 00:21:37,963 Thank you.