Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. (R-C-I, 39th District) recently joined his Senate colleagues in approving a series of bills tackling the heroin, opioid, and synthetic drug crisis.

“These measures address the evolving challenges caused by fentanyl, synthetic, and designer drug combinations that escape criminality through loopholes in existing laws,” said Senator Bill Larkin.  “The measures also seek to increase coordination among health care agencies in an effort to prevent future drug overdoses.”

“We must continue our fight every day to combat this epidemic by holding drug dealers accountable, while also providing critical prevention and recovery services,” Senator Larkin continued.  “Our local health care providers and law enforcement must be given the support they need to battle this drug crisis and these bills will assist them in their efforts.”

Six measures passed this week that target the increased use of synthetic and designer drug combinations that escape criminality through loopholes in existing laws; S933, S300, S816, S3518, S2722 and S658.  Two other measures, S2639 and S2248, will help promote information sharing to prevent the abuse of prescription and other drugs, among other benefits of health care coordination.

These bills have been sent to the Assembly for consideration.