SPOKANE, Wash — Spokane police officers see it all the time. People using dangerous, illegal drugs in public.
Up until recently, there wasn't much they could do. All that's changed now, thanks to a new ordinance passed by city council members, giving officers the authority to arrest people if they witness the drug use.
Officers have the discretion to cite and release people. Police say their main goal is holding people accountable while directing them to services. Jail versus a citation depends on the circumstances, jail capacity and officer staffing.
The new ordinance does not give police the authority to crack down on small amounts of drug possession. However, that will change July 1, 2023 when the new state drug laws go into effect.
Both offenses are considered a gross misdemeanor. Spokane police are now warning people of what's to come. According to SPD, 62 people have been arrested for open drug use in the last three weeks.
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