BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A plan to prevent public drug use heads before the Bellingham City Council.

At their upcoming meeting on Monday, March 13th, Mayor Seth Fleetwood will propose an ordinance that would prohibit using drugs in public areas.

Fleetwood says changes to state law related to personal possession of narcotics effectively decriminalized open drug use.

The ordinance mirrors existing state laws on public alcohol and marijuana consumption.

Violators would be charged with a misdemeanor.

If approved, the ordinance would take effect in mid-April.

Mayor Fleetwood also announced that he is working with Judge Debra Lev to create a “community court.”

The court would function within the city’s Municipal Court as an avenue for low-level, non-violent offenders to be connected with appropriate social services.