UW drug use survey shows drop in injection use, sparks debate over housing-first approach in Seattle

UW drug use survey shows drop in injection use, sparks debate over housing-first approach in Seattle

A new University of Washington (UW) survey is raising new questions about drug use trends in the region, showing a sharp reported decline in injection drug use while fueling debate over how best to respond to the crisis. The survey, conducted by UW’s School of Public Health, found injection drug use among participants dropped from 93% in 2021 to 44% in 2025, with smoking now the more common method. Researchers also found methamphetamine remains …