Five members of the King County Council introduced legislation that would – if passed – add an alternative to Initiative 27 on the February ballot.<\/p>\n
I-27 proposes a ban on Community Health Engagement Locations (CHEL) – the safe injection drug sites – across King County. If the alternative legislation proposed by members is adopted by the full nine-member council, it along with I-27 would be on the February ballot.<\/p>\n
The proposed alternative legislation would implement all the findings of the Heroin and Opioid Addiction Task Force, including the operation of two CHEL sites in King County, according to a county council media release.<\/p>\n
The legislation is scheduled for a public hearing and vote at the council’s 1:30 p.m. Monday meeting.<\/p>\n
A simple majority of five votes in favor would place the language on the ballot. Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles lead sponsored the legislation with Council Chair Joe McDermott and council members Claudia Balducci, Rod Dembowski and Larry Gossett serving as cosponsors.<\/p>\n
If passed by voters, it would authorize a three year pilot project during which a maximum of two CHELs could be operated in county hot spots of concentrated substance use and related overdoes.<\/p>\n