So here's actually a bit of good news for you (we'll focus on the good as best we can here since it's only Tuesday and it still sort of feels like Monday).
Okay, I know, it's not great news that 2,799 Washingtonians have died of drug overdoses in the past year. That's super sad news, and we should all pray for the users.
The good news lies in the potential response to this tragedy.
Washington state now has the fastest-rising drug overdose rate of any state, soaring to 21.9% over the last 12-month period ending Jan. 31, when 2,799 overdoses were reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study also says those numbers are underreported and the state predicts the true figure to be 2,850 deaths, which would be a 24% increase in one year.
The next closest state is Maine, which reported 716 overdose deaths, an increase of just under 18% year-on-year.
Seriously, that is a ridiculous number of ODs.
It's sad to see that number so high.
And now for the good news. We're here for the good news!
While lawmakers finally passed a drug reform policy that makes drug use and possession a gross misdemeanor in the state, some cities like Seattle have languished back and forth.
The Seattle City Council voted two weeks ago to ultimately reject the state's public drug use legislation that would've allowed the city to prosecute people who are using drugs in public.
However, the tide seems to have turned as fed-up Seattle residents say they would now support arresting people who openly use drugs in public, according to the Seattle Times.
Of the 500 Seattle residents who were polled by Suffolk University, nearly 60% said they support arrests for drug possession and drug use.
"This is completely in line with what I've been hearing from my constituents ever since I got into office," said Seattle council member Sara Nelson. She added parents and business owners are constantly voicing their concerns about the rampant drug use throughout the city.
For those of you who don't remember, Washington essentially decriminalized drugs altogether back in 2022, though only for a brief period of time. However, from what I'm reading above it looks like the tides are turning and the state's getting a little more tough on drugs. We just need Seattle to follow through as well.
I hate to see a government allow its people to suffer like they've done with drug users out in Washington. However, sometimes you gotta take a few steps back in order to take that step forward.
Maybe this will be the final wakeup call for Washingtonians and we'll see a more tough on crime stance from them in the future when it comes to drugs.
