Spokane mayor proposes Narcan ordinance for downtown smoke shops and convenience stores

SPOKANE, Wash. — Mayor Lisa Brown proposed two new ordinances this week. One of those ordinances would encourage any store that sells smoke paraphernalia such as glass pipes to also provide naloxone, otherwise known as Narcan.

Mayor Brown also wants this ordinance to apply to any business that sells foils and straws.

This would apply to grocery stores, convenience stores and dispensaries.

“We want the foils and pipes not to be convenient, particularly downtown,” Mayor Brown said.

One downtown dispensary, Lucky Leaf, said it’s already had naloxone available for at least the last couple of years. While employees haven’t had to use it often, they did give Narcan to a person who overdosed nearby just last week.

Lucky Leaf general manager Mitchell Lowe said every business downtown should have Narcan available just in case.

“It’s saved a few lives. I personally have never dealt with anyone overdosing out front but I know other employees have had to deal with it,” Lowe said.

Lowe believes this ordinance would help address the addiction crisis.

“It’s definitely more prevalent here downtown than the rest of the city I feel like,” he said. “We’re right on First Avenue and there’s a homeless shelter about a block away that gives out food during the afternoon and night times so we see a lot of it over there.”

Lowe said he doesn’t know of any other stores downtown that currently carry Narcan. He added that it’s cheap or even free in some cases.

“This is step one of saving their life before they die because they won’t have a voice after their death,” Lowe said.

Lowe said this ordinance wouldn’t affect their bottom line.

If the ordinance passes, it would be voluntary. Businesses would not be punished for not having Narcan.

Mayor Brown’s office, however, plans on tracking how many businesses would be willing to provide Narcan if it eventually becomes the law.

She hopes taking a new approach to curbing drug use in the city will bring down the amount of drug-related crimes over time.

“The foils and pipes also become litter and that litter can also be dangerous for people and pets,” Mayor Brown said.

The ordinance is expected to be introduced at a city council meeting in early January. The city council will be taking feedback on the proposal and could potentially make changes.