Public calls to crack down on open drug use in Spokane | Spokane News

SPOKANE, Wash. – Spokane residents are raising concerns about open drug use in public spaces, saying it's keeping them from enjoying the downtown area for safety reasons.

Dan McLay shared his experience with NonStop Local and explained that he experienced a second-hand high downtown.

“It's disturbing, it's scary, I don't want my consciousness to be altered against my will,” McLay said.

As McLay left an AA meeting in downtown Spokane, he noticed an unusual smell. A retired nurse and worried grandfather, he initially thought something was burning. But then he realized it was something more familiar:

“Since it wasn’t the first time, I knew it was fentanyl, meth or both,” he said.

McLay described the effects after being exposed to the drug fumes.

“I was nervous, excited and just felt weird,” he said, explaining that he felt high for 16 hours.

The man who runs the facility where this incident occurred gave his perspective and stated:

“Fentanyl is not the problem, people are the problem. You treat the problem and the fentanyl goes away. If you fight fentanyl, you won’t win.”

For privacy reasons, the location of the facility will not be disclosed.

According to the manager, this incident is not an isolated incident and similar incidents have occurred at the facility on another occasion this year.

“I can’t stop them from doing fentanyl, but I can stop them here,” he added.

Spokane police reported receiving 4,500 drug-related calls from January to September. Around 130 of these calls per month take place in public spaces and are not tied to specific addresses.

McLay emphasized the need for compassion toward those struggling with addiction, but insisted that public safety must come first.

“I care about these people, but it’s not fair that they’re putting people’s health at risk,” he said.

NonStop Local contacted Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown's office regarding the issue of open drug use downtown. The mayor could not be reached for comment and no prepared statement was provided.