I'm Paris Jackson in the Cascade PBS newsroom.

Welcome to The Newsfeed.

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans is making some major changes on drug prosecution.

The Seattle Times reports that in her first day on the job, Evans directed her criminal division to refer misdemeanor public drug use cases to an internal team of prosecutors that will consider diversion rather than pressing charges.

Evans told us the prosecution of low level drug offenders will be focused on diversion, but also be case by case.

She caught some criticism for that decision.

Evans has said her intent has been to follow the original aim of a 2023 ordinance that was passed, which for her office means strongly encouraging people arrested for public drug use to be diverted rather than charged.

During our sit down with her, she further explained.

I believe that folks that are dealing with substance use disorder, not the traffickers, but the folks that are dealing with addiction, should be connected to treatment, not just put in jail.

And then they're right back out in a couple days.

Not addressing the underlying root causes.

We can see the evidence is clear in our streets of how what's been happening in the prior administration of this office is not currently working.

It is vital as public servants to make sure we are being good stewards of public safety and our public dollars.

What we're doing is making sure that folks that want to get into treatment, that they can.

However, we do retain the right if folks are not making meaningful progress to do traditional prosecution.

Evans says on this and many other issues, working cooperatively with police will be key.

Tomorrow, Evans shares how her office will protect Seattleites civil rights amid federal threats.

I'm Paris Jackson.

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