‘Let’s try to keep the child alive first’: KIRO hosts sound off on Lewis County’s new fentanyl ordinance

Lewis County has passed a new ordinance making it a misdemeanor to expose a child or other dependent person to synthetic opioids, including fentanyl — a gap the county said state law has failed to close.

The ordinance, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, covers heroin, methylfentanyl, fentanyl, methadone and other synthetic opioids. Washington’s existing child endangerment statute doesn’t include fentanyl, a gap lawmakers have not addressed despite multiple legislative sessions.

KIRO fill-in host Jim Dever noted that counties don’t have the authority to make it a felony.

“A county can put a misdemeanor on the books, but they can’t put up a felony,” Dever said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “That’s the purview of the state.”

1-year-old’s fentanyl-related death prompts ordinance

The ordinance was prompted by the death of a 1-year-old boy who had fentanyl in his system. His mother has been charged. The state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) knew about the mother’s drug use and had created a safety plan under the Keeping Families Together Act.

Angela questioned whether a safety plan can work when addiction has taken hold.

“A safety plan, the way I see it, works when people are of rational mind,” Angela said. “When you’re dealing with addiction, what can be rational in that?”

Dever said he understands the importance of keeping families together but drew a distinction.

“There are different types of addiction, and I can see a child staying in a situation where one of the parents is struggling with a drug addiction of some sort,” he responded. “But there are different levels of these things, and it sounds like this family was a completely unhealthy mess, a terrible situation for a child to be in.”

Dever offers solution

Dever added that the priority should be the child’s well-being.

“Who would be against keeping families together?” he said. “But when that family is on some pretty runaway, out-of-control drug use, that’s not a good, healthy situation for a child. Let’s try to keep the child alive. Let’s do that first.”

Angela pointed out the current approach feels like it prioritizes struggling parents over vulnerable children.

“It just feels like you’re prioritizing the parents who are struggling, which we do want to support them,” she said. “But the kids are the most vulnerable in this situation.”

Dever offered a reframe.

“Maybe one way to support the parent who’s struggling is to let them know that their child is waiting for them when they’re clean and healthy,” he said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.