Seattle passes drug ordinance; Marysville institutes mandatory minimums

The Seattle City Council voted to pass an ordinance Tuesday that aligns the city’s drug use laws with legislation the state passed earlier this year. The city of Marysville also is considering mandatory minimum jail time for drug use.

The ordinance in Seattle makes public drug use and possession a gross misdemeanor.

More on Seattle drug ordinance: City Council passes legislation that aligns with state

Unlike previous ordinances, it also requires Seattle police to adopt policies that favor treatment and diversion — with arrest considered a “last resort” if the person is deemed a threat to others.

The city has not been able to prosecute misdemeanor drug crimes for more than a month since the previous ordinance expired.

The state legislature passed a law on misdemeanor drug use in May. The city council tried to pass a similar ordinance in June, but it was narrowly voted down.

Marysville institutes mandatory minimums

In Marysville, a new proposal would mean harsher penalties for those caught publicly using drugs.

The proposed legislation suggests implementing a mandatory minimum jail time of 30 days for anyone who’s committed three or more so-called public disorder crimes within the past five years. The minimum would increase to 60 and 90 days for additional offenses.

Those crimes can include public drug use, car prowling, and trespassing.

Mayor Jon Nehring told KIRO 7 in September the purpose of the ordinance is to get a handle on the drug crisis impacting all of Western Washington.

“And so, it is time for an intervention at that point. It’s time to say this isn’t working,” Nehring said.

Nehring added he came up with the proposal with the police chief and city attorney. He believes the ordinance would not only help those struggling with addiction but would also lower other crimes in the city as well.

“They are driven by the drug problem. If you were to eliminate the drug problem, you would almost eliminate these crimes from our community,” Nehring said.

Nehring said Marysville already has and will continue to support diversion programs — but that the fentanyl epidemic has provided new challenges that require new tactics. He said mandatory jail time could be reduced for completing treatment.

The City Council unanimously adopted mandatory minimum sentences for repeat criminals at a meeting Monday.

Editors’ note: This story originally was published Sept. 19 and has been updated several times, including on Oct. 11.