Washington, DC. — In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, dozens of Democrats joined their Republican counterparts in passing a bill focused on fentanyl-related drug penalties. This legislation aims to address the growing concerns surrounding the illicit use and distribution of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid linked to a significant rise in overdose deaths across the United States.
The recently passed bill has potential implications for fentanyl dealers in California, where the impact of this dangerous drug has been particularly severe. Here are some key points on how the bill might affect fentanyl dealers in the state:
Increased Penalties: The bill likely includes provisions that would enhance penalties for fentanyl-related offenses. This could lead to stricter sentences and harsher consequences for individuals involved in the illegal production, distribution, and sale of fentanyl in California.
Sentencing Guidelines: The legislation might establish specific sentencing guidelines that judges must consider when dealing with fentanyl-related cases. These guidelines could aim to ensure more consistent and severe punishments for offenders involved in fentanyl trafficking or sales.
The HALT Fentanyl Act still has to pass in the Senate and has a good chance. Biden has given his nod that he will sign the bill into law. Stay tuned.
Fentanyl Bills PASSED
AB 19 – Requires schools to keep Narcan available on campus.
AB 33 – Creates a Fentanyl Addiction and Overdose Prevention Task Force.
AB 461 – Makes fentanyl test strips available on college campuses.
AB 474 – Fosters cooperation between the State Threat Assessment Center and local law enforcement for fentanyl enforcement.
AB 701 – Creates a sentencing enhancement for possessing enough fentanyl to kill at least half a million people.
AB 889 – Ensures parents are taught about the dangers of fentanyl.
AB 890 – Creates a fentanyl-specific probation class for those convicted of fentanyl crimes.
AB 915 – Teaches students to recognize overdoses and how to use Narcan.
AB 1060 – Requires insurers to cover the cost of Narcan.
On March 23rd, 2023, Families of Fentanyl Victims and Drug Induced Homicide rallied in front of Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins’ office to push for the passage of SB 44, also known as Alexandra’s Law. Matt Capelouto, the father of Alexandra, who the bill is named after spoke about how Atkins could end the deaths from fentanyl tomorrow, if she wanted to. The bill, SB 44, in which FentanylSolution.org is an official supporter, would allow drug dealers to be admonished if caught with fentanyl; with the warning that if they continue to sell the drug and someone dies as a result, they will be charged with murder. The goal of the rally was to convince Atkins to bypass the California Public Safety Committee and bring the bill directly to the floor for elected Senators to vote on.
Footage of the rally in front of Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins’ office. Click thumbnail to play the video.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. California is currently the number one state for fentanyl deaths, with an average of 110 people dying every week from the drug. That’s equivalent to a 747 airplane crashing every 10 days. And it’s not just a problem in California – fentanyl is now the number one killer of 18 through 45-year-olds in the United States, surpassing COVID-19, car accidents, suicides, and cancer.
At the rally, the President & CEO of FentanylSolution.org and The Fentanyl Solution Group, Janice M. Celeste, and Board Member Tina Burke spoke to the press about the need for action. Burke shared her personal story of losing her son, Christian to fentanyl and emphasized the need for stricter penalties for drug dealers who sell deadly substances. Celeste promoted the organizations’ Poll-to-Prop initiative and upcoming Mega-Zoom Meeting on March 24th at 1 pm PDT for families of Fentanyl Victims. More information can be found on FentanylSolution.org’s Facebook page.
The California Public Safety Committee has been stonewalling bills with penalties attached. There must be consequences for those who profit from selling deadly substances. The current situation with fentanyl is a prime example of this. While admonishing drug dealers may seem like a small step, it’s a necessary one in the fight to save lives. It sends a clear message that selling fentanyl is not only illegal but also potentially deadly, and that there will be consequences for those who choose to continue to profit from it.
The rally by Families of Fentanyl Victims and Drug Induced Homicide in front of Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins’ office was a much-needed call to action. The passage of SB 44, or Alexandra’s Law, would be a crucial step forward in the fight against fentanyl deaths in California and across the country. It’s time for lawmakers to recognize the severity of the fentanyl epidemic and take action to save lives.
Janice M. Celeste, the President & CEO of FentanylSolution.org, appeared on NBC’s News Conference with Conan Nolan to discuss the fentanyl crisis and the proposed Poll-to-Prop ballot initiative. During the interview, Celeste presented her opposing views on the War on Drugs to Public Safety Committee’s Chairman, Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who has been reluctant to pass harsher penalties for drug dealers who kill with fentanyl.
Celeste argued that the fentanyl crisis is different from the War on Drugs, pointing out the development of the internet and social media as a key factor in the crisis. She explained how drug dealers are killing exponentially like never before in history, and how they are targeting children en masse, grooming them to become addicts by following them on social media.
In contrast, Jones-Sawyer has referred to fentanyl as the War on Drugs, but has been hesitant to pass harsher penalties for drug dealers. Celeste challenged this statement, emphasizing the urgency of the fentanyl crisis and the need for a comprehensive solution.
Celeste’s organization has proposed the Poll-to-Prop ballot initiative, which is a ballot measure that would increase penalties for dealers who knowingly sell drugs laced with fentanyl.
Celeste discussed that fentanyl is often added to other drugs without the user’s knowledge. Celeste also emphasized that if drug dealers stalked and groomed children in-person, they would go to prison. Why is it different if they do the same actions on a computer?
The Poll-to-Prop fentanyl ballot initiative has gained support from a wide range of organizations, including law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and addiction treatment centers.
The proposed Poll-to-Prop is a promising step towards preventing accidental poisonings and saving lives, and Celeste’s message about the need for public support cannot be emphasized enough.
Celeste urged the public to support the initiative, donate, and emphasized that it is a critical step towards addressing the fentanyl crisis and saving lives. “We need an army,” said Celeste. Every bit counts but bigger donations will get us there in time for the Presidential election. You can become a sponsor or donate by emailing at info@fentanylsolution.org or calling 888-931-6244.
Janice M. Celeste, the President & CEO of FentanylSolution.org, has been making headlines in California for the organization’s proposed solution to the fentanyl crisis. Recently, Celeste appeared on NBC 4 News in Los Angeles with reporter Lolita Lopez to discuss the organization’s efforts to combat the crisis.
During the interview, Celeste emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of fake pills and laced drugs, which are major contributors to unintentional overdoses and deaths. She explained that dealers often mix fentanyl with other drugs to increase their profits, and that many pills sold on the street are counterfeit and may contain lethal doses of fentanyl.
To address this problem, Celeste’s organization has proposed their Poll-to-Prop initiative. The proposition would increase penalties for dealers who knowingly sell drugs laced with fentanyl.
The proposition has received support from a wide range of organizations, including law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and addiction treatment centers. However, some critics argue that it resembles the War on Drugs, but Celeste argued that “When in history have drug dealers killed exponentially?”
Regardless of these criticisms, Celeste and FentanylSolution. org are taking a bold step in proposing a solution to the fentanyl crisis. The group is on schedule to get the initiative on the Presidential ballot and their efforts have brought much-needed attention to this urgent public health crisis.