(The Center Square) – Hoping to bolster the proposal, the Spokane Valley City Council tabled a vote Tuesday that could add fentanyl to the crime of endangerment with a controlled substance.
The existing state law specifically mentions methamphetamine, chemicals used to manufacture meth and other narcotics, but not fentanyl or opioids. The charge still levies a Class B felony, but if officers only find fentanyl and not meth at the scene, they usually rely on other charges.
Law enforcement has had at least two cases since January where emergency services sent a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old to the hospital after getting into their parents’ stash. One child got a hold of paraphernalia with meth and fentanyl on it, while the other ingested a fentanyl-laced pill…