EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council on Monday adopted a six-month moratorium on locating any safe injection sites for heroin users in unincorporated areas of the county.

The temporary ban introduced by District 1 County Councilman Nate Nehring passed unanimously.

The council referred the injection site issue to the planning commission for discussion and a recommendation, including the potential for a permanent ban. “This is a move in the right direction in our fight against the heroin and opioid epidemic,” Nehring said.

Nehring said he has heard from constituents and business owners concerned that plans for safe injection sites moving forward this winter in King County could open the possibility for similar action in this county.

Heroin-injection clinics don’t fit into proactive prevention and treatment strategies that Nehring hopes will work to curb the opioids epidemic in north county. “We want to get people back on track and connect them with more access to treatment and other services, but this isn’t the way to do it,” said Nehring.

Safe injection sites enable heroin addicts to legally inject drugs while supervised by medical personnel ready to administer aid if needed. They do not offer treatment on site.