News From New York State
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
For Immediate Release: February 16, 2012
Contact: Antonio Rodriguez | arodrigu@nysenate.gov [16] | (518) 455-3531
*PRESS RELEASE*
Senator Shirley L. Huntley Passes Legislation to Better Protect Minors from Drug Abuse
Law would increase penalty for criminal sale of control substance to minors under age of 14
(Albany, New York) Senator Shirley L. Huntley (D-Jamaica) announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation, S. 3210-B, to combat the increase in drug use by young children and increase penalties for those who prey on youth. The new law will establish a more serious offense for the sale of a controlled substance to minors under the age of 14 by making it a class A-II felony.
In Southeast Queens there is a growing youth population that requires guidance, mentorship, and information regarding the dangers of drugs, and those who engage in the sale and distribution of narcotics. These drug peddlers have the ability, without proper enforcement, to infuse an entire community with narcotics, especially harming children, who have not yet developed physically or mentally.
“We are aware of how vulnerable young minds are and how peer pressure influences our children. We must be proactive in stopping those who want to prey upon young people while they are so impressionable,” said Senator Huntley. “Drug dealers deserve harsher punishments in order to deter the and protect New York’s youth.”
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an estimated 22.6 million Americans aged 12 or older are currently drug users, meaning they had used a drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This estimate represents 8.9 percent of the population aged 12 or older. The drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used recreationally.
Under the new law, the sale of a controlled substance by an adult to a minor under the age of 14 will be a class A-II felony. It provides law enforcement with another tool to help in the battle to protect our children from negative influences by punishing those who profit from the enterprise of selling drugs to our children.
The senator continued, “Children as young as 12 years old are experimenting with addicting drugs. We need to recognize the problem, educate our youth, and enforce harsher punishments to protect our young people from going down the dark road to drug addiction.”
