Mayor Brown Proposes New Special US Assistant Attorney Role to Target Narcotics Prosecution in City of Spokane
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~ Spokane Mayor Proposes New Special US Assistant Attorney to Combat Drug Trafficking

Spokane, WA - In an effort to address the ongoing opioid epidemic and its impact on the city, Mayor Lisa Brown has put forward a proposal to establish a new Special US Assistant Attorney. This position would be a collaboration between federal and city resources, with the goal of targeting drug trafficking and prosecution in Spokane.

If approved by the City Council, this attorney would be a City employee working in partnership with the Eastern District of Washington US Attorney's Office. The US Attorney's Office will provide office space, training, day-to-day supervision, and assistance with recruitment and identifying successful candidates.

The partnership with the US Attorney's Office will also allow for close relationships with federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. This will provide enhanced penalty provisions for high-level drug dealers and traffickers.

Mayor Brown stated, "Our community has been deeply affected by the opioid epidemic. To address this crisis, I am looking to create a new special attorney role to target the root of the problem - drug dealing and trafficking. By focusing upstream, we aim to cut off the supply before it reaches our most vulnerable, preventing more people from falling victim and giving our community a chance to heal."

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She also expressed her gratitude towards US Attorney Vanessa Waldref and her team for their partnership in this effort. Together, they hope to create better outcomes for Spokane.

U.S. Attorney Waldref echoed Mayor Brown's sentiments, stating that both the City of Spokane and the U.S. Attorney's Office share the same goal of creating a safer community for all residents. She also highlighted the devastating impact of fentanyl on countless lives in recent years.

"We stand prepared to work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to address the damage being done to our communities," said U.S. Attorney Waldref. "Working together, we are better equipped to address the fentanyl crisis - bringing justice to purveyors of poison in our neighborhoods and sparing community members and families from the tragedy of deadly drug poisonings."

She also expressed her gratitude for the partnership with the City of Spokane and looks forward to continuing to work with Mayor Brown's team on critical public safety projects for the community.

If approved, this new Special US Assistant Attorney will play a crucial role in combating drug trafficking and helping Spokane heal from the effects of the opioid epidemic. The City Council is expected to vote on this proposal in the coming weeks.

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