Tucson City Council agreed to explore a new city ordinance criminalizing public drug use during Tuesday’s study session. Ward 4 councilmember Nikki Lee introduced the item and led the discussion.
Lee said the ordinance is meant to address a gap left by the Pima County Attorney’s Office, which does not prosecute many low volume drug possession charges.
“We all know at this table when people in the community see public drug use, they immediately think of [Tucson Police Department] and why are you guys not doing your job? And then they zoom out and say, ‘Well, it’s the mayor’s fault and this council’s fault for telling TPD not to enforce the law.’” Lee said to the council during the meeting. “We know that that is not true.”…