Drug-use ban to take effect in Bellingham

Public drug use in Bellingham will become illegal in the coming weeks, but city leaders insist the new rule the city council approved on April 10 is not intended to brand people with substance use disorder as criminals.  Rather, city leaders said the ordinance that passed with a 5–2 vote is meant to help people who are addicted to drugs, while also making the city’s environment more business-friendly. The vote took place in front of an overflow crowd in council chambers at City Ha