Colorado Lawmakers To Introduce Bill To Combat Fentanyl Crisis
in class in Colorado Springs.“People were dying from poisoning, people ARE dying from poisoning of fentanyl, and we have to address it,” Rep. Leslie Herod said.
In a statement, speaker Alec Garnett, who led the effort, says, ““We are taking bold, comprehensive action to get fentanyl off our streets and save lives. My heart breaks for the far too many families in Colorado who have come to know the pain of an overdose death. This proposal will crack down on the dealers peddling death in our communities and provide new tools to law enforcement to require treatment for individuals arrested for fentanyl possession who have a substance use disorder.
It’s a move some law enforcement officials and prosecutors have blamed for the rise in fentanyl in the community.as debate about how to respond to the issue heated up.Herod says it’s likely lawmakers on both sides will raise concerns about portions of the bill, she says that is expected and that no bill is perfect.
CBS4 reached out Tom Raynes, Executive Director of the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council who have been critical of the changes in possession as well as for their response to the proposed bill. He says they were waiting to see the final draft before commenting. It is set to be unveiled on Thursday morning.