Proposed Tougher Penalties for Fetanyl Trafficking/Possession

MISSOURI — One Missouri lawmaker wants those who traffick and possess Fentanyl to get stiffer penalties.

That state representative is Nick Schroer. On Tuesday, in a house Judiciary Committee Hearing for his proposed bill, he cited last week’s biggest Fentanyl bust in U.S. history — where 254 pounds of the drug was confiscated. He said that’s enough to kill about 50 million Americans. 

If passed, anyone caught trafficking or possessing more than 20 miligrams of Fentanyl, will be charged with a Class A felony — landing them some serious jail time.

“What it’s going to do is add fentanyl into our drug trafficking statutes and carfetanil and any derivative there of,” said Schroer, “A mere possession of heroine or even fentanyl, you know, brings a minor charge.”

He says Fentanyl is a growing problem in Missouri. 

“And then the carfentanil, which is even stronger than that, we’re seeing a rise in that and that’s being laced into other drugs,” Schroer said, “They’re making it in China and Mexico. That’s part of the DEA — and they’re bringing it up through our border and through our streets.”

While the bill is receiving bipartisan support as well as support from most state law enforcement officials, the head of one loal organization on the front lines of battling substance abuse in the Ozarks has some concerns.  

“Of course there has to be penalties..but the war on drugs hasn’t really worked,” said Marietta Hagan, Project Coordinator for “The Stone and Taney County Substance Abuse Initiative.”

“All it’s done is increase the population of our jails,” Hagan said.

She’s hoping to see more options for those battling substance abuse addictions.

“Research is showing that treatment is what is successful,” said Hagan, “I see more of an opportunity through programs like the Stone County Drug Court, who just graduated 12 new graduates last night..who have started  a new tomorrow. Those types of opportunities for people who are in the addiction cycle to recover.”

Schroer’s bill will also crack down on those who traffick and possess “date rape” drugs.