Kentucky lawmakers will be asked to further strengthen laws to combat the state’s heroin problem. Often labeled an epidemic with the large number of overdose deaths, the pre-filed legislation creates penalties for dealers of fentanyl, carfentanil, and other designer drugs.
Fentanyl is considered 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. Details about the legislation were unveiled this afternoon during a news conference at Lexington city hall. Nicholasville Police Chief Barry Waldrop says dealers of these drugs need to be locked up.
“Hopefully it may stop it, may slow it down,” Waldrop said. “At least, if we can accomplish that, that’s more than what we’ve got going right now. Cause we’re losing this battle drastically right now. It’s taking over.”
The pre-filed legislation also seeks to address other unknown fentanyl derivatives and chemicals that have been altered beyond the current class description.
Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear says he favors increasing funding for drug treatment upwards to 200 million dollars in the next budget.
