Drugs

Politics

Crime and drugs are Seattle voters' top concerns, new survey finds

Voters in Seattle say that crime, drugs, and public safety are the issues they are most frustrated and concerned about.

Crime

Lummi chair commends federal drug bust connected to tribal deaths

Officials at the Lummi nation say this week’s arrests in a drug ring linked to recent overdose deaths could offer a measure of justice. The Lummi Nation near Bellingham put a national spotlight on the fentanyl epidemic last September, when four members died of drug overdoses in a matter of days and the tribe declared a state of emergency.

Crime

FBI busts up Seattle drug ring. Arrests include prominent activist

Federal law enforcement officials in Seattle have announced the arrests of more than a dozen local people charged with conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs and commit money laundering across multiple states. Those charged include a prominent voice in Seattle’s violence prevention efforts.

The grim reason fentanyl deaths are falling in King County

Fatal fentanyl overdoses may have reached a peak in Washington state. But that's not all good news.

Crime

New 'loitering' penalties targeting Seattle drug and prostitution zones approved by City Council

After weeks of debate and controversy, the Seattle City Council voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to pass new criminal penalties intended to disrupt drug and prostitution-related crimes in city hotspots.

Law & Courts

What's an 'entheogen'? Magic mushrooms are now a low priority in Olympia

The Olympia City Council has knocked psilocybin, and similar drugs, down to a "low enforcement priority" for Olympia police, essentially decriminalizing the drugs in the city.

Fatal drug overdoses declining slightly in King County after 2023 surge

Officials in King County say after a bleak year of increased drug overdoses in 2023, they are starting to see signs of hope. At the county’s fourth annual conference on substance use Thursday, officials said fatal drug overdoses are trending down slightly in 2024.

Crime

'Astonishing' increase in car theft charges as juvenile criminal cases surge in King County

Car theft charges brought against youth were up by more than 500% in King County last year. That’s just one of the charges driving a 61% increase in juvenile criminal bookings in 2023, including violent crime, gun possession and burglary.