After months of debate, the Longview City Council has enacted new protections for children exposed to dangerous controlled substances, making such exposure a misdemeanor in the city.

The ordinance targets drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription opioids like Percocet. This comes after the death of an infant from fentanyl exposure earlier this year. Mayor Erik Halvorson says that currently, state law does not broadly cover such exposure.

A big concern debated last night was possible exemptions for prescription medications that a teenager living at the residence might get into. An amendment to add those exemptions failed.

Senior Assistant City Attorney James Goodman warned that exemptions for prescriptions could have backfired. He said prescriptions are the most common controlled substances sold on the street, and the amendment could have created unintended protections if a teen stole a prescription from their home and sold it.

Councilmember Kalei LaFave said the responsibility falls on adults to secure all prescription medications. She argued that residents need to get a safe or lockbox to secure them.

The ordinance takes effect immediately. Law enforcement will use it as a tool when responding to cases of child endangerment involving controlled substances.