LINDEN &8212; Those charged with drug or alcohol related offenses inside city limits may soon be paying for much more than their illegal behavior.

According to a proposal made by Police Chief Scott McClure, the minimum fine the city charges for drug and alcohol related offenses would increase by $50 per charge. The extra money would then be put into the police department&8217;s &8220;drug fund,&8221; which is used to finance drug and alcohol related investigations.

The idea was something McClure first thought of before he was promoted to chief, but the idea never came to fruition. He said the city had not changed the minimum charge amount for such offenses in at least eight years.

Currently, the city&8217;s general fund does not supply money to the drug fund, but rather it is supported by donations and any seized money obtained from the district attorney&8217;s office.

The council approved McClure&8217;s request, making it effective this month.