Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide), Chair of Council’s Housing, Health, Energy and Workers’ Rights Committee, issued the following statement after the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that Initiative 27, which attempted to ban public funding of overdose prevention sites in King County, was outside the scope of local initiative power:
“I celebrate today’s decision by the State Supreme Court. It is the responsibility of local governments to address public health crises. When we don’t have overdose prevention sites, libraries, parks, local businesses and other public places become consumption sites, and Seattle residents and workers are exposed to extreme health and safety risks.”
“As we’ve explored in my committee, the City has a preliminary path forward to open an overdose prevention site through a mobile-fixed site. We also have the funding in place, as my Council colleagues and I voted in the 2019 budget to add additional funding to the Mayor’s proposed budget for an overdose prevention site, bringing the total to $1.4 million. I’ll be working in 2019 to engage community members, including those who have concerns and fears, to build a Seattle that is safer for all of our residents.”
“I look forward to working with the Mayor and King County as we develop plans for overdose prevention sites. Our neighbors and loved ones need a safe place staffed by medical professionals, where they can feel supported when they choose to seek treatment. It is imperative we work together to ensure not one more person dies from a preventable overdose.”