1/21/2024 0 Comments Desk blotter calendar 2023![]() ![]() This includes assessing the diversion and treatment systems, as well as evaluating a potential successor to community court. The Mayor’s Office commenced the Fentanyl Task Force, which is working on better understanding and improving how the criminal legal system interacts with individuals suffering from opioid use disorders who come into contact with the criminal legal system. Reinvesting in We Deliver Care to provide frontline care to those suffering from addiction in the downtown core.Initiating an innovative contingency management drug abatement program in cooperation with Plymouth Housing.Allocating ongoing funding to harm reduction providers.Funding expanded mobile medication delivery for opioid use disorders.Investing $7 million in capital funds toward facilities that would provide post-overdose diversion, treatment and medical care, increased case work and provider coordination, and day center services.Launching expanded Health 99 program focused on responding to overdoses and connecting those suffering from opioid use disorders to treatment and care.In April, the mayor issued an Executive Order advancing new public health strategies and law enforcement focuses related to fentanyl and synthetic drugs. This ordinance will complement ongoing public health and safety priorities advanced by the City to address the fentanyl and synthetic drug crisis. Define a new threat of harm standard – differentiating between drug use that threatens others, recognizing the real and perceived danger of consumption of illegal drugs in public places, and aiming to support safe and welcoming neighborhoods by reducing public use.For the first time in the City’s history, designate diversion and treatment as the preferred approach to addressing substance use issues – connecting people with care and responding to a public health crisis with evidence-based health solutions.Codify state law making public consumption of illegal drugs a gross misdemeanor in the City’s criminal code. ![]() So far this year, through September 18, there have been 761 overdose deaths in King County involving fentanyl, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County, putting the region on track to set a tragic new record of fatal overdoses per year. After analyzing final adjustments to the bill and amendments from throughout the process, my office will issue an Executive Order in the next week to provide training and guidance to the police department on implementation, as well as metrics to track progress.” “As soon as this bill reaches my desk, I will sign it. “While a routine codification of law could have taken place months ago, our office has taken advantage of this extended experience to bring together law enforcement, service providers, and impacted communities defined diversion as our preferred approach and initiated and invested in needed new care strategies. That’s why we need continued support from the county, state, and federal governments to fund and advance our shared efforts. No single solution – and no single city – can solve this crisis independently. “We will continue pursuing a dual public health and public safety approach – leading with treatment for those suffering from substance use disorder and focusing our law enforcement resources on the dealers, traffickers, and individuals causing the most harm. Everyone in our city deserves to feel safe and to be safe – waiting for a bus, entering a small business, walking any street in any neighborhood. “In this bill, we are also making it clear that putting the public’s health and safety at risk when consuming drugs is unacceptable. “This legislation cannot make all the difference on its own – but linked with treatment programs, health services, and diversion options, we can help people who are suffering from the disease of substance use disorder find and access a path to recovery. Fentanyl is tragically killing thousands in our city and around the country, and we need urgency and innovative solutions to make change. “Today’s vote by the City Council is a needed step forward in our efforts to address the deadly epidemic of fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. Seattle – Today Mayor Bruce Harrell released the following statement: ![]()
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