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Fentanyl epidemic: Arizona lawmakers debate bill to toughen penalties for OD deaths
If Senate Bill 2019 is passed, anyone who knowingly distributes or sells fentanyl pills to another person who ends up dying because of an overdose could face felony first degree murder charges, which is punishable by death. FOX 10's Nicole Garcia reports.
PHOENIX - Arizona lawmakers are moving forward with a bill that is designed to help fight the opioid crisis in the state.
If passed, Senate Bill 1029 would allow first-degree murder charges to be filed against fentanyl suppliers who cause an overdose death.
This would apply to drug dealers, mutual friends, and anyone who knowingly passes along the opioid.
The bill was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and passed 4-3 along party lines. Four Republicans voted yes, and three Democrats voted no.
Republican State Senator Anthony Kern introduced the bill and says the harsh sentence would deter fentanyl use.
According to the Arizona Dept. of Health Services, more than 1500 people in the state died just last year alone from confirmed opioid-related overdoses.
So far this year, 13 suspected opioid-related deaths have been recorded this month.
Those against the bill include Democratic State Senator Alma Hernandez, who says it's hugely problematic, won't reduce fentanyl overdoses and further criminalizes drug addicts.
Continued Coverage
- Opioid Crisis: Gilbert Police uses fentanyl-trained dogs to help find the drug
- Maricopa County inmates caught with 150+ fentanyl pills at one facility in the past week
- Chemicals for possible fentanyl production seized in Arizona
- Drugs behind bars: Phoenix mothers want reform after their sons die from apparent overdoses in jail
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Officer collapses after likely fentanyl exposure
A police officer was caught on camera being treated after possible exposure to fentanyl during a traffic stop. The Tavares Police Officer discovered drugs on a passenger, and the officer then had trouble breathing and collapsed. Fellow officers quickly administered Narcan, likely saving her life. Police say the officer was wearing gloves and practiced safe handling, but they think the wind blew it into her face and she may have inhaled it.