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Member's Press Release

Release Date: 02/20/2017
Contact: Senator Mike Woelfel at 304-357-7956 or 304-522-6249


Mike Woelfel


Senator Mike Woelfel Introduces Bill to Address Fentanyl Trafficking

Charleston, WV - Senator Mike Woelfel (D-Cabell) has introduced Senate Bill 329 which would seek to address the endemic abuse of fentanyl, fentanyl derivatives and analogs. If a drug dealer is caught in possession of a potentially deadly derivative of Fentanyl, the substance may not be recognized as illegal under current law. Further, heroin is often cut with synthetics and less expensive opioids that can be produced in a lab, which often leads to overdoses.

“Drug dealers are adding dangerous chemicals to an already deadly and illegal substance, “ Woelfel said. “This bill would render the manufacture, sale and distribution of these substances a felony offense. Additionally, intentionally misrepresenting a Schedule 1 drug as a legitimate pharmaceutical product would be a felony offense.”

“We cannot hold accountable the manufacturers and dealers who are creating and selling these deadly substances without clearly defining relevant terms. The bill will criminalize the unlawful creation and distribution of fentanyl derivatives which created an unprecedented rash of overdoses.”

The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration and is referenced to the Committee on Health. The maximum criminal penalty provided in the bill would be 20 years confinement.




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