New Florida law ups dealing fentanyl to first-degree murder

LAKELAND — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a invoice Thursday afternoon that stiffens the penalties for these discovered promoting or distributing opioids, together with fentanyl. 

DeSantis visited Polk County Fireplace Rescue Station 23 in Kathleen, the place Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma and native first responders have been readily available to witness the signing of Home Invoice 95.  

“We’re going to do all we are able to to lower the prevalence of fentanyl in Florida,” DeSantis stated. “In case you are dealing fentanyl, you might be killing folks and you will be put in jail.” 

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The invoice provides methamphetamines to the managed substance checklist. If use of the drug leads to demise, the person who offered or distributed methamphetamines may be charged with first-degree felony homicide. It additionally will increase the necessary minimal sentence for trafficking fentanyl from three years to seven years for 4 to 14 grams, and 15 to twenty years for 14-20 grams. 

DeSantis stated the drug fentanyl prompted 5,300 deaths in 2020 in line with Florida Medical Examiner’s Fee. 

Within the first half of 2021, DeSantis stated opioid-related deaths improve one other 5% throughout the state, with fentanyl-related deaths rising by roughly 10%.

In Polk County, Judd stated there have been 116 individuals who died from fentanyl overdoses in 2021 — up from 106 deaths in 2020.  

“That is harmful,” Judd stated. “We now have a governor who cares for you who desires to ensure the sellers pay a value.” 

Polk County Fireplace Rescue paramedic Tom Konze shared his firsthand expertise responding to the scene of a fentanyl overdose.

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Konze stated upon arriving on the scene, he was flagged down by a lady who lead him to a man in a shed on a mattress, pale, sweaty and on the point of demise.

“After we consider fentanyl, we consider the addicts and we consider the sellers, however what we overlook generally are the opposite victims on this disaster: the households, particularly youngsters,” Konze stated. “As a primary responder and our perspective, with the signing of this invoice right this moment I consider we’re one step nearer to fixing this disaster.” 

Jacksonville resident Mike Itani stated his 23-year-old son died as results of a fentanyl overdose in July 2018. Itani stated these deliberately promoting the deadly doses of the drug, “is a homicide.”   

“He was a traditional child, concerned in sports activities, nothing irregular,” he stated. “Lots of people consider those who have handed away from an overdose, they consider them as junkies, however they’re on a regular basis regular folks identical to us.” 

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The governor blamed the rise in fentanyl flowing into the state on unlawful immigrants and cited figures stating 11,000 kilos of fentanyl had been seized on the border final yr, with greater than 6,000 kilos having been seized up to now this yr.

“When you take a look at what is going on on at our southern border proper now, I do not assume we have ever seen something like this,” DeSantis stated. “There are huge numbers of individuals coming throughout the border illegally fueling a large infusion of fentanyl.”

Sara-Megan Walsh may be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Observe on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.