A Crowley lawmaker files legislation raise criminal penalties for distributing fentanyl to make that equivalent with murder. Republican John Stefanski filed the bill for the legislative session that starts April 10th. He says the consequences for dealing the drug should “match the violent damage it causes”…:
“If you’re caught with ‘possession with intent to distribute’ or distributing fentanyl, and you have over 28 grams…in Louisiana, if this bill is passed, you’ll go to jail for the rest of your life.”
Stefanski’s bill would make possession of more than 28 grams of fentanyl (which is considered possession with intent to distribute) punishable with life in prison. Possessing smaller amounts could get 5 to 40 years in prison and up to $50-thousand in fines. Thousands die from fentanyl overdoses yearly in Louisiana. Stefanski says Louisiana has dealt with other drug scourges in similar fashion before…:
“We used to have life imprisonment for distributing heroin, and it basically ran it out of the state for a long time. And really, we’ve seen it come back in Louisiana – in my opinion – since we reduced those penalties.”
Stefanski says he has consulted with fellow lawmakers, sheriffs and district attorneys before filing his bill and they support the idea. He says he also expects bipartisan support from colleagues…:
“It’s not political. It’s killing people, and it doesn’t care what race you are and it doesn’t care what political party you belong to.”
Stefanski is also running for state Attorney General this fall.
Comments