The Charleston City Council continued its efforts to battle the usage of synthetic drugs by opening an ordinance for public review during Tuesday’s meeting.

The ordinance is available online through the city website.

The ordinance provides a looser interpretation of the compounds used in creating synthetic drugs, and will help police incriminate those who previously have been getting away with the crime.

The ordinance divides the definitions of a synthetic drug into three categories: a synthetic cannabinoid, a synthetic psychedelic and hallucinogen and a synthetic stimulant.

All categories state that any compounds giving a similar effect to the type of drug defined can have grounds for being fined.

A violation of the ordinance could result in fines of no less than $750 for both sale or delivery and manufacturing, and fines of no less than $500 and no more than $750 for possession or use.

Those in violation will also be fined no less than $100 and no more than $500 for costs of testing the substance.

Mayor Larry Rennels said he hopes the ordinance will keep Charleston citizens safe.

“The drugs can be much more powerful than marijuana,” Rennels said. “We hope to not only protect people from themselves, but keep the city safe as well.”

The ordinance will be up for approval on April 1.

The council also approved a resolution that will allow Charleston to assist Taylorsville through billing the utilization of ambulance software and procedures.

Rennels said some cities, such as Taylorville, do not have the funds or numbers to start up the software project.

“The agreement saves Taylorville money, and it is worth the investment for Charleston,” Rennels said.

The agreement includes a $25 fee per claim.

The council also approved amending an ordinance for alcoholic beverages, and that will change the language of the ordinance.

The amendment asked for establishments found to be operating out of the legal limits a suspension of the license for no more than 30 days, as well as the possibility of having the license revoked. The amendment also states the local liquor commissioner can levy a fine for violation of provisions. The fines can be anywhere from $250 and a three day suspension on the first offense to $500 and a seven day suspension for the second offense to a $1,000 fine and a 30 day suspension for the third offense, all within a 12 month period.

The amendment also called to change the language of the liquor commission hearings.

“Notice of said hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper having general circulation within the city not more than 15 days nor less than seven days prior to the hearing date. Defects in the giving of such notices provided for in this subsection,” the amendment states.

The ordinance also called to extend the special permit limit from one day to two days.

The council will meet again at 6:30 p.m. April 1 at City Hall.

Megan Ivey can be reached at 581-2812 or mkivey@eiu.edu.

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