The controversial legislation to combat fentanyl, which killed more than 900 people in Colorado last year, officially became state law Wednesday.
The controversial legislation to combat fentanyl,Flanked by sponsoring lawmakers from both parties, law enforcement leaders and family members of people killed by fentanyl, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis signed“Making Colorado one of the 10 safest states over the next five years is one of our top priorities,” Polis said. “Frankly, across our state, people are simply fed up with the pain that this new and dangerous drug is inflicting in our communities.
Experts on drug use and addiction say that drug dealers are very often themselves drug addicts, and so it is not easy to cleanly distinguish between those who sell fentanyl and those who purchase it. These experts also pointed to a wide body of research showing that compelled treatment often does not work.
Wrote Healthier Colorado CEO Jake Williams in an email wrapping the legislative session, “This tactic has failed time and again, and the research consistently shows that we should apply a public health strategy to this public health crisis.”Gov. Jared Polis signs HB22-1326 on the Capitol steps in Denver on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Polis himself has publicly supported felonizing fentanyl possession in any amount, but he also insisted the bill must become law whether or not it contained every provision he sought.
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