KOMO news radio in Seattle reports that Washington State retailers lost an estimated $900 million in merchandise last year from thefts that are part of organized crime rings.

Mark Johnson, WR’s VP of Policy and Government Affairs, participated in the report during an interview with reporter Carleen Johnson.

Johnson explained how theft organizers prey on drug addicts who use proceeds from the thefts to pay for more drugs. He also mentioned the state’s creation of diversionary programs to direct addicts to recovery programs meant to break the crime cycles that fuel their addictions.

Click here to download audio of the report.