SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley City Council is considering a stricter drug ordinance to protect children from fentanyl exposure.
Currently, drugs like fentanyl and other opioids are not grounds for felony child endangerment charges. The highest charge adults could face for exposing their child to fentanyl is a misdemeanor.
“Over the last three or four years, we’ve seen an explosion of fentanyl nationwide. This isn’t something just a Spokane Valley or Spokane County problem,” said Chief Dave Ellis of the Spokane Valley Police Department.
The Spokane County Medical Examiner recorded 350 overdose deaths in Spokane County in 2024, with 78% involving fentanyl.
“With more fentanyl in the community, you’re seeing more exposure to children,” Ellis explained.
So far this year, children as young as two and three years old have ingested fentanyl left behind by parents or caregivers.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, Chief Ellis and Lieutenant Kiehn suggested an ordinance that would make fentanyl exposure a gross misdemeanor in Spokane Valley.
“These ordinances are really looking to try and protect our small population and make sure that we’re holding our offenders accountable,” Ellis told council members.
Several city council members spoke in support of law enforcement during the meeting. They plan to return to the topic in a future meeting.
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