BREWSTER – An effort is underway on Beacon Hill to make over a dozen synthetic drugs illegal in Massachusetts, as lawmakers try and curb the state’s drug crisis.
First Barnstable State Representative (R-Brewster) Tim Whelan is a co-sponsor of the bill, joining 18 colleagues in the House and Senate in support of the proposal. The former state trooper said the bill would specifically target 19 synthetic narcotics that are currently listed by the DEA as controlled substances.
“We’re looking for growing trends in narcotics usages,” Whelan said. “This is all apart of the effort to fight addiction. There’s been a rise not only nationally, but even locally in Massachusetts in the use of synthetic narcotics.”
The bill would make the manufacturing, possession,and distribution of the drugs illegal in Massachusetts.
“The nature of the illicit synthetic narcotics trade is both disturbing and very fluid. It is becoming essential for state legislatures to become proactive in response to current trends being seen by public safety and medical professionals,” said Whelan. “I view this legislation as a big step in an ongoing effort to improve and update illegal narcotic laws to protect our citizens and hold accountable those who would profit off the misery and pain of a vulnerable population.”
The proposal currently sits in the House rules committee and will eventually move on to a public hearing.
By MATT McCARTHY, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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