Why are drug possession laws so contentious in Washington state?

Washingtons legislators are back in Olympia today for the start of a special session to fix the state’s drug possession statute.

Yesterday, there was late word of a compromise among lawmakers.

KUOW’s Amy Radil is here to talk about the deep divisions that led to the special session.

This is just the latest step in a legal saga over possession in Washington state, which has revealed divisions within political parties and throughout the state on the best way to handle a crisis of substance use disorder and overdose deaths.

"The penalties and the role of jail is just the biggest issue," KUOW Reporter Amy Radil told "Seattle Now."

"Some people honestly believe that jail is a really important intervention for people in the throes of addiction to allow them to clear their mind and make a decision about going to treatment. Other people believe that jail is the worst thing that could happen to people in this situation, and it destroys any stability that they do have. I think that's really going to be the crossroads that lawmakers have to navigate in this session."

Lawmakers have 30 days to reconcile those differences. They have a tall order — the bill must spell out legal penalties for drug possession, but also must outline a plan for the $271 million the Legislature has earmarked for substance use support and treatments.

Listen to Radil's full conversation with "Seattle Now" host Patricia Murphy by hitting the play button above, or search for "Seattle Now" in any podcast app.