Taking a stand against Fentanyl Traffickers

As most of you are probably aware, a rather important piece of legislation will soon be heard in the Senate after passing the House with overwhelming support on a vote of 55-13.  House Bill 406 aims to institute mandatory minimum sentencing laws for anyone convicted of trafficking fentanyl, one of the deadliest drugs on Idaho’s streets today. 

The numbers are incredibly high, and they are on the rise. From 2020 to 2021, Idaho law enforcement confiscated 125,000 fentanyl pills; that is a 562% increase in just one year and 7 out of every 10 pills has a fatal dose. In 2022, there were 270 opioid-related deaths in Idaho and nearly half of those deaths were confirmed as deaths from fentanyl. Unfortunately, the reality is we know those numbers are higher than reported as toxicology screenings are cost prohibited and not every Idaho coroner is able to run a report for each overdose death.

This is not legislation to punish those who are struggling from addiction, despite what opponents will lead you to believe. HB406 will act as a deterrent by sending a strong message to drug cartels that we will not tolerate their business in Idaho.

The time for discussion has ended and I hope members of the Idaho Senate will vote to pass this bill.   After hours of debate between the two Committees and the House Floor, HB406 is ready to pass through the Senate and onto the Governor’s desk. I stand with the 86% of Idahoans who support this type of legislation.