Former Seattle City Attorney Urges Tougher Approach to Drug Use

Advocates for Seattle to follow San Francisco's lead in arresting drug users and getting them into treatment centers

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Former Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison is calling on Seattle lawmakers to take a stricter approach to drug use, similar to the one recently implemented in San Francisco. Davison says the city needs to hold drug users accountable and get them into treatment, even if it means using police power to do so. She argues that compassion sometimes requires tough action, rather than just letting people deteriorate on the streets.

Why it matters

Seattle has grappled with rising drug use and homelessness, and Davison's comments reflect a growing debate over how to balance compassion and accountability when it comes to addressing these issues. Her stance aligns with San Francisco's new policy, which aims to compel drug users into treatment, but critics argue it could violate civil liberties.

The details

Davison praised San Francisco's new policy, where the mayor signed legislation to arrest drug users and place them in the city's Rapid Enforcement, Support, Evaluation, and Triage (RESET) Center. Davison said Seattle should follow a similar approach, using police power to hold drug users accountable and get them the help they need, even if it means overriding their personal preferences at times.

  • On February 21, 2026, Davison discussed her views on 'The John Curley Show' on KIRO Newsradio.
  • San Francisco's mayor signed the new drug use legislation on an unspecified date prior to this news report.

The players

Ann Davison

A former Seattle City Attorney who is advocating for the city to take a tougher approach to drug use, similar to San Francisco's new policy.

San Francisco Mayor

The mayor of San Francisco who recently signed legislation to arrest drug users and place them in the city's RESET Center.

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What they’re saying

“It isn't arresting your way out of it, but you have to say accountability is a different form of compassion. When someone is not able to be their own guardrails for their own behavior, what they're doing to themselves, to the public, in our shared resources, when they cannot be that for themselves, we should give a damn.”

— Ann Davison, Former Seattle City Attorney (The John Curley Show* on KIRO Newsradio)

“We will not just say 'We feel bad about doing that, so we're just not going to do it, and we'll just watch them deteriorate instead.' I don't really care if you feel bad while you do it, because we're looking at, we need to help them get out of that situation.”

— Ann Davison, Former Seattle City Attorney (The John Curley Show* on KIRO Newsradio)

What’s next

It is unclear if or when Seattle lawmakers will consider implementing a policy similar to San Francisco's new approach to drug use and homelessness.

The takeaway

Davison's comments reflect a growing debate over how to balance compassion and accountability when addressing drug use and homelessness in cities like Seattle. While some see San Francisco's new policy as a necessary step, others worry it could violate civil liberties and fail to truly help those struggling with addiction.