Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) | Martin McLaughlin
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) | Martin McLaughlin
State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R--Barrington Hills) is voicing his support for legislation aimed at curbing the growing fentanyl problem now inflicting havoc across the state.
"House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and my fellow Republican members held a capitol press conference to discuss legislation aimed at combatting the ever-expanding fentanyl crisis in our communities," McLaughlin posted on Facebook.
House Bill 3210 would amend the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and calls for increased penalties for those selling any scheduled drug containing fentanyl or using a form of electronic communication in an effort to support its transaction, The State Journal-Register reported. Anyone convicted of selling the drugs would face a sentence of nine to 40 years or a fine of up to $250,000, while those using an electronic device could be fined up to $100,000, the story said.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, deaths from synthetic opioids have jumped by 2,736% since 2013 and caused nearly 2,500 deaths in 2020, the story said.
Under the proposed legislation, anyone caught selling would face a prison term ranging from nine to 40 years or a fine not exceeding $250,000, while those using an electronic device could be fined up to $100,000. The bill has now been referred to the House Rules Committee, the Journal-Register reported.
Another proposal, House Bill 3203, l would allow pharmacists and retailers to sell over-the-counter fentanyl test strips and also allow county health departments to distribute the strips free, the Journal-Register reported. The bill has bipartisan support, the story said.
“This bill will help save lives,” McCombie said. “Fentanyl is a deadly drug that is taking far too many lives and as we continue to take steps to address the opioid epidemic affecting Illinois families, our priority with this legislation is to single out fentanyl.”
Among the supporters of the fentanyl legislation is state Rep. Bill Hauter, (R-Morton_an anesthesiologist and emergency physician in Peoria who experiences the problems caused by the opioid epidemic in his practice, the Journal-Register said.
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