Only a handful of people charged with low-level drug offenses in Seattle received treatment since the city passed a law in 2023 aimed at combating public drug use, according to a report released Friday by the King County Department of Public Defense.

According to the report, just six of the 215 people who were prosecuted for misdemeanor drug use or possession by the Seattle city attorney’s office from October 2023 through this July were ordered to have a substance use disorder evaluation or to receive treatment.

Mayor Bruce Harrell championed the law, arguing it would drive people into treatment.

“Our focus is on improving connections to lifesaving treatment and expanding program options to better meet the needs of those with substance use issues,” Harrell said at the time, saying the p

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