Washington State officials are investigating the nonprofit volunteer organization We Heart Seattle over concerns about how its volunteers handle drug paraphernalia, including used needles and fentanyl foils. The investigation by the State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) was prompted by a complaint alleging improper handling of hazardous materials by the group, which focuses on cleaning up public spaces in Seattle.
Andrea Suarez, who runs We Heart Seattle, stated that the organization has removed over 2.1 million pounds of trash and assisted hundreds of people in moving from the streets since its founding in 2020. However, L&I has requested safety records, training materials, and hepatitis B vaccination forms for volunteers, citing rules for handling bloodborne pathogens. "We are doing it properly," Suarez told KOMO News, asserting that volunteers use gloves and tools to avoid direct contact with paraphernalia and that needles are placed in sharps containers while other materials are bagged separately. She also noted that two supervisors with specific training are available for handling more hazardous items.
Suarez expressed frustration with the investigation, contrasting the scrutiny of her volunteer group with the conditions in Seattle's parks, which she described as having open drug use and visible paraphernalia. "It’s just the egregious hypocrisy that you allow this open-air use of drugs in our parks, steps from businesses and residents and daycares, and like, I’m the bad girl," she told NewsNation. She also questioned the necessity of formal training for everyday citizens who might encounter and pick up such items.
L&I officials stated that their jurisdiction covers workplace safety and that any individuals handling sharps must adhere to basic safety protocols and document programs for preventing exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Matt Ross, an L&I public affairs manager, told the Daily Mail that the investigation began after an external report about the organization's practices. Suarez maintains that she is the only paid employee, with the rest of her team being volunteers.
Inspections for We Heart Seattle began on July 16 and could take up to six months, with results to be published afterward. Potential violations could lead to fines, depending on the specifics of any safety breaches found. Suarez noted that while volunteers have safety protocols for avoiding direct contact and proper disposal, they may not have received hepatitis B vaccinations or all required disciplinary policies, as she was unaware these were mandatory for volunteers.
The organization has logged 75,000 volunteer hours, contributing to the effort to make public spaces, including parks, safer for residents and children. Seattle has gained a reputation for having an open drug market, making the work of groups like We Heart Seattle a point of discussion regarding public health and community safety initiatives.