Staff Reports
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has signed a bill into law to combat the opioid crisis in the state. The legislation enables illegal manufacturers or distributors of fentanyl to be prosecuted for murder. The new law establishes mandatory “fentanyl poisoning awareness month” in October, where schools must provide students with information concerning fentanyl abuse prevention. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will partner with colleges and universities to provide Narcan on campuses, which reverses opioid overdoses.
New Texas Law Allows Fentanyl Deaths to Be Prosecuted as Murder
https://t.co/YLPDIF8tRK— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) June 15, 2023
The Dallas Morning News reported on several suspected fentanyl poisonings resulting in students dying or being hospitalized. Meanwhile, some students have also overdosed on the substance on school grounds after consuming fentanyl-laced pills. The legislation Abbott signed into law mandates more education so that students receive awareness about fentanyl abuse prevention.
Honored to have Angel Families & fentanyl awareness advocates join me today.
I thank Sen. Campbell, Creighton, Huffman, and West & Rep. Goldman, Lujan, Rose, and Wilson for bringing these life-saving measures to my desk.
More: https://t.co/weCslv89wY
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) June 14, 2023
Thank you @GovAbbott for signing #HB6 today. Texas now has sent a strong message to those who distribute and sell fentanyl in this state that if you are caught and convicted you will be going away for a very long time. #txlege #onepillkills pic.twitter.com/iRZMGEZORl
— Craig Goldman (@GoldmanCraig) June 14, 2023
Collections of laws signed into law “will save lives, prosecute fentanyl deaths as murder, distribute NARCAN on college campuses,” Abbott said approvingly on Twitter.
Fentanyl is involved in more deaths of Americans below 50 than any cause of death, including homicide, cancer, and suicide, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 67% of over 100,000 people who died from drug overdoses and drug poisonings within a 12-month period ending in January 2022 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The governor’s office says these new laws will enact the strictest punishments in the USA for those who manufacture or distribute fentanyl. Anyone charged with possession of over 200 to 400 grams of fentanyl for delivery faces a first-degree felony with a minimum sentence of ten years. If someone is caught with more than 400 grams, they could face a 15-year minimum jail term. The penalty for manufacturing or delivering under 1 gram of fentanyl increases to a third-degree felony in this legislation. Abbott says that the legislation makes it clear that anybody who causes a death by unlawfully manufacturing or delivering fentanyl will be prosecuted for murder in Texas.
The author of H.B.6, Republican Rep. Craig Goldman, states it sends a “strong message” to those who engage in illicit activities that the consequences of their actions will be severe. The state will not accept such criminal activities that put young people at risk. With 2,000-plus individuals dying from fentanyl in Texas in 2022, these laws are significant and will help prevent future tragedies.
