Everett approves new penalties for drug exposure to children
EVERETT — The city of Everett approved an ordinance on Wednesday creating criminal penalties for people who expose children to certain drugs.
Police previously told the council that the new ordinance would fill a gap in state law, which outlines criminal charges for people who knowingly or intentionally allow a child, or an adult in their care, to ingest methamphetamine.
But that state law only applies to methamphetamine, and does not specifically address other illicit drugs.
Everett’s newly approved city law now makes it a crime for individuals to expose children to drugs classified as Schedule I or II, which include heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, cocaine, morphine and ecstasy, among others.
https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/03/12/everett-approves-new-penalties-for-drug-exposure-to-children/