The founder of a Seattle nonprofit dedicated to cleaning up discarded drug paraphernalia has raised concerns after her organization was placed under state investigation for its handling of these items. Andrea Suarez, founder of We Heart Seattle, stated that her volunteer group is being scrutinized by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries over allegations of "improper handling and collection of hypodermic needles and fentanyl paraphernalia."
Suarez, whose organization has logged over 50,000 volunteer hours in seven years, described the investigation as a "thank you" for her group's efforts in cleaning public spaces, including parks and playgrounds, which she says are often littered with needles, pipes, and other drug-use items. She asserted that her group follows safety protocols, including using gloves and grabbers, and provides guidance to volunteers on personal protective measures.
Suarez criticized the state's actions as hypocritical, pointing to city and county "harm reduction" programs that she claims distribute needles and other drug paraphernalia. "One of the biggest advocacy work I have done is that I go to the needle exchange and I get what they call the 'party kit,' and I demonstrated that our King County 'Health' Department is handing out cookers and tourniquets and glass pipes an paraphernalia to do drugs," Suarez said. She characterized these kits as "suicide kits" with insufficient information on accessing medical detox.
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries confirmed the investigation stems from an external complaint. A spokesperson stated that inspections can take up to six months and that any findings, including potential violations and penalties, will be made public. The department also noted that inspectors work with organizations to address observed hazards.
King County defended its harm reduction approach, asserting that its programs aim to reduce overdoses and connect individuals with treatment services. A county spokesperson cited a "promising overall decline in overdoses" of 32% between 2023 and 2025, attributing this to their comprehensive approach.
Suarez expressed her intention to investigate whether her group was unfairly targeted, noting that her volunteer work has increasingly drawn her organization into political debates surrounding Seattle's drug and homelessness policies. She argued that the proliferation of open drug use in public spaces, facilitated by the distribution of drug paraphernalia, creates unsafe conditions and deters the public from using these areas. "The optics are egregious," Suarez stated, questioning the lack of training or guidance provided to the public for navigating environments with visible drug use and discarded paraphernalia.