Nevada
Nevada lawmakers the latest to debate harsher fentanyl laws
![Nevada lawmakers the latest to debate harsher fentanyl laws Nevada lawmakers the latest to debate harsher fentanyl laws](https://storage.googleapis.com/afs-prod/media/6dcb39c176ea49069b91b4d21b626d80/2016.webp)
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — A Nevada state Senate committee heard two payments on Monday that might make it the most recent state to considerably cut back the quantity of fentanyl possession eligible for trafficking costs in response to the biggest overdoses disaster in U.S. historical past.
The controversy has pitted regulation enforcement officers in opposition to hurt discount advocates and has implications for a way the deadliest drug in America is prosecuted — and whether or not low-level customers might be lumped in with the traffickers the lawmakers goal.
“I’ve had goals, and admittedly nightmares, over guaranteeing that in pursuit of this invoice that we don’t recreate the warfare on medicine from the crack cocaine days,” mentioned Democratic Legal professional Normal Aaron Ford, who launched one of many two payments.
Hurt discount consultants mentioned the payments would do exactly that. Regulation enforcement have been extra broadly in favor of harsher penalties however opposed a late-amended jail and jail drug remedy program that they are saying could be laborious to implement.
Fentanyl largely arrives within the U.S. from Mexico and is combined into provides of different medicine, together with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and counterfeit oxycodone tablets. Some customers search it out. Others don’t know they’re taking it.
About 2 milligrams of fentanyl might be deadly, which means 1 gram may comprise tons of of deadly doses.
Imposing longer jail sentences for possessing smaller quantities of medicine represents a shift in states that lately have rolled again drug possession penalties. As overdoses have piled up, different state legislatures are additionally contemplating or passing harsher penalties for decrease quantities of fentanyl, together with Oregon, West Virginia, South Carolina and Alabama.
Sponsors say the 2 “companion” payments are supposed to give extra instruments for regulation enforcement to prosecute traffickers bringing in fentanyl to the state. In Nevada, there have been 497 overdose deaths from artificial opioids like fentanyl, in keeping with the Legal professional Normal’s workplace.
Democratic Senate Majority Chief Nicole Cannizzaro’s invoice offers illicit fentanyl its personal substance class and prosecutes “knowingly or deliberately” possessing the drug as low-level felony trafficking beginning at 4 grams, with necessary jail time. Ford’s invoice handles mid-to-high stage trafficking beginning at 14 grams with escalating penalties as much as life in jail.
Fentanyl is at present a schedule 2 substance, which means possession of 100 grams is prosecuted as a trafficking cost — a results of a sweeping 2019 legal justice reform regulation that Ford and Cannizzaro supported.
Ford beforehand described that regulation’s provision to decrease trafficking costs for all medicine as “overinclusive.” However he mentioned on Monday that the proposed invoice really furthers that regulation’s intent to regulate weights and penalties primarily based on particular medicine.
The coalition of hurt discount advocates mentioned the invoice would lump low-level customers who want remedy with high-level traffickers who push huge sums of fentanyl into the state. Additionally they say a number of provisions will erode belief with regulation enforcement.
Ford’s invoice is void from the state’s “Good Samaritan” Regulation that exempts individuals from legal drug possession costs whereas reporting an overdose. A late modification from Cannizzaro added the decrease quantities to the regulation.
Among the many largest considerations are the state’s crime testing labs, which take a look at just for the presence of fentanyl, not the precise proportion in a combination of medicine. Thus, individuals with over 4 grams of any illicit drug containing a number of milligrams of fentanyl might be topic to trafficking penalties, a number of mentioned. Regulation enforcement have beforehand mentioned that the change to a extra proportional testing system could be pricey. Ford signaled an openness to the state learning change.
“If we’re going to deal with it in another way, as a result of that’s what they’re saying, then we have to be correct,” mentioned John Piro, chief deputy public defender in Clark County, which incorporates Las Vegas, in an interview. “And proper now, we’re not correct.”
Whereas supporting decrease thresholds for trafficking penalties, a number of regulation enforcement businesses opposed mandated medication-assisted remedy applications in jails and prisons throughout the state for substance-use problems.
“Now we have a profitable (Remedy-Assisted Remedy) program,” mentioned Jason Walker of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Division, which incorporates Reno. “I imagine it will be troublesome for smaller businesses to place a MAT program collectively.”
5 payments had been launched associated to fentanyl penalties in Nevada, however the three Republican-backed payments — which give a lot decrease trafficking thresholds — haven’t gotten a listening to within the Democratic-controlled legislature.
Any invoice should be signed by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, the previous Clark County Sheriff who derided the 2019 legal justice reform regulation as “soft-on-crime” and helps making fentanyl possession in any quantity the identical felony class as trafficking.
The 2 payments should be voted on this week to maneuver ahead. Friday marks the deadline for payments to make it out of their first committee. ____
Stern is a corps member for the Related Press/Report for America Statehouse Information Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit nationwide service program that locations journalists in native newsrooms. Observe him on Twitter: @gabestern326.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Nevada
Overdose awareness event honors those lost to drugs
Public health and harm reduction experts came together in Las Vegas Saturday to mark the global day of spreading overdose awareness and advocating for prevention.
The Southern Nevada Harm Reduction Alliance hosted its 8th Annual International Overdose Awareness Day event, which took place at The Center, a Las Vegas nonprofit organization focused on serving the LGBTQ+ community.
The event marked International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed yearly on Aug. 31, and was intended to honor those who have been lost to overdose, said Chris Reynolds, president of the Southern Nevada Health Consortium.
Robert Schomer hosted a training session on how to use naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Schomer is the employment program coordinator for Foundation for Recovery, an addiction treatment center in Las Vegas.
“Naloxone is an effective antagonist against any type of opioid,” said Schomer. Naloxone typically comes in the form of a nasal spray that can be administered to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
Harm reduction
With naloxone training, the goal is to reduce harm, said Schomer. A strategy that prioritizes harm reduction helps addicts take small steps towards recovery, Schomer explained.
“There’s a difference between quitting cold turkey and harm reduction,” said Schomer, “Harm reduction is acknowledging that you are willing to take steps to mitigate consequences.”
For example, moving from injecting drugs to smoking instead is one of those steps, Schomer said. With injecting, there’s a higher likelihood of overdosing compared to other methods.
Schomer recalled a time where he was running a meeting and one of the attendees overdosed in front of him.
“We never know when we might unintentionally be the first responder in an overdose situation,” Schomer reflected, “Even though I do this training, its still a scary situation to be in.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 79,770 drug overdose deaths in 2022, which is more than the seating capacity of Allegiant Stadium, said Schomer.
“We have trainings every year and there’s always people who’ve been through the trainings that have saved lives because of it,” Reynolds said.
‘Meet them where they’re at’
Reynolds urges people to always carry naloxone because they never know when someone may overdose.
Another aspect of harm reduction is making sure people can use safe needles, said Michele Jorge, the HIV outreach and linkage coordinator for Trac B Exchange.
Trac B Exchange, based in Las Vegas, exchanges dirty needles for clean ones and links people with housing and addiction resources when they’re ready for care.
“It’s all about keeping clients safe and healthy until they’re ready for change. We have to meet them where they’re at,” Jorge elaborated.
Another organization present at the event was the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, where the aim is to normalize the conversation around suicide, said volunteer Dani Eicher.
“The more the conversation is normalized, the more we prevention we can have,” Eicher explained.
“This gives them the opportunity and the space to work through their emotions,” said Eicher. “Sometimes, there’s guilt and shame associated with it, but we have to remind people that they’re not alone.”
If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a loved one or friend, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
Contact Annie Vong at avong@reviewjournal.com.
Nevada
SMU Mustangs push through to win against Nevada in first game of the season
![SMU Mustangs push through to win against Nevada in first game of the season SMU Mustangs push through to win against Nevada in first game of the season](https://smudailycampus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/6uccwfxRhNsud3JWj1jFvZnGyychb9vIA3ULG4BI.jpg)
The SMU Mustangs started their season by beating Nevada 29- 23. This win showcased the team’s determination to be recognized on the ACC level for college football and continued their 11-3 record from the 2023 season.
“I think they feel like we can be a good team,” Lashee said after Tuesday’s practice. “We’ve got to go prove that we can consistently do it for four quarters.”
The beginning seemed to be a struggle for SMU, who picked up 11 penalties just in the first quarter. Coach Lashlee was not too thrilled with the start of the game.
“There was never any rhythm,” Lashlee said. “We do something; we go one step forward, two steps back.”
Preston Stone, SMU’s starting quarterback, was the right person for the job. The coach plans on playing both QBs, Kevin Jennings and Stone.
“We followed our plan going to the game,” said coach Lashlee. “Preston was going to start go the first two drives; Kevin knew he was going to play the third and fourth series, so that was how we went into the game.”
Stone, who started in 12 games for the 2023 season, threw 3,197 yards passing, giving him the 26th-ranked spot in the NCAA and the fourth-most in the ACC.
Coach Rhett Lashlee trusts Stone to be the starting QB for the Nevada game. He clarified that Stone earned his chance at camp to be the starter for the game against Nevada.
Preston and the team look forward to winning their first at-home game against their next opponents the Houston Christian Huskies on August 31.
Nevada
Uber, Nevada Transportation Authority team up to crackdown on fake rideshare drivers
![Uber, Nevada Transportation Authority team up to crackdown on fake rideshare drivers Uber, Nevada Transportation Authority team up to crackdown on fake rideshare drivers](https://gray-kvvu-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YDT5FMEPRFFO5IBFIQIRRBJ5HE.png?auth=10a6cefab082b978654db15cc83096e3a33f4d3ffb22cf0e75e4abe0367b6c92&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Uber and the Nevada Transportation Authority are teaming up this holiday weekend for a crackdown on fake rideshare drivers, which they say is a big problem in Las Vegas.
“You can get a placard pretty much anywhere… you can parade around as an Uber driver… You will see a lot of them in black SUVs that look just like Uber and Lyft, but they are not licensed,” revealed John Foster, Chief of Enforcement for the Nevada Transportation Authority.
For NTA, stopping illegal rideshare drivers is a matter of public safety. People are being picked up by drivers without background checks or proper insurance. “I have been communicating with all the Strip hotels and Downtown to train them on this problem… There is large groups of individuals that are acting as Uber drivers without permits… That person will ask you if you want a ride or need a ride,” Foster explained.
For the first time, Uber is teaming up directly with a state agency to address this issue.
“It is certainly more noticeable in Las Vegas… because there is so many out-of-towners, so many tourists,” shared Harry Hartfield, Senior Public Affairs Manager for Uber. While the Nevada Transportation Authority regulates 36,000 licensed drivers in the Vegas Valley some aren’t following the rules.
“If 10,000 of those drivers are handing out business cards, it is a big problem. It is a big problem,” Foster contended. Taking a business card from a legitimate rideshare driver for a future off app trip is risky because commercial insurance won’t apply unless a ride is booked through the app. “In Nevada, there is a $1.5 million dollar insurance policy,” Hartfield reported as a representative of Uber.
Any driver caught offering an illegal ride in Nevada will have their vehicle impounded and face a $10,000 fine, something happening more often than you might think. “I would say five a week… It is challenging it’s very, very challenging. We are working with everyone we can to bring this crisis under control,” Foster told FOX5.
The Nevada Transportation Authority has undercover investigators posing as tourists trying to catch illegal rideshare drivers in the act, but the NTA says tips from the public are most important to stop fake Ubers. Report one via this link.
For your safety, every rideshare you take verify the driver’s identity and the plate number on your app before you get inside the vehicle.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
-
Connecticut1 week ago
Oxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
Technology1 week ago
Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
Politics1 week ago
2024 showdown: What happens next in the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump face-off
-
News1 week ago
Who Are Kamala Harris’s 1.5 Million New Donors?
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump taunted over speculated RFK Jr endorsement: 'Weird as hell'
-
Politics1 week ago
Vivek Ramaswamy sounds off on potential RFK Jr. role in a Trump administration
-
World6 days ago
Portugal coast hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake
-
Politics1 week ago
House GOP demands elite universities counteract 'dangerous' anti-Israel protests in the fall semester