Youngkin: “We cannot coddle drug dealers”




ICYMI: As WJLA’s Nick Minock reported
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, Governor Glenn Youngkin is continuing his push to deter fentanyl trafficking
in Virginia and improve transparency for parents about fentanyl in Virginia
schools.



Youngkin has called for stricter penalties for fentanyl dealers, including
charging criminals with felony homicide if they deal drugs that lead to a death.



In the wake of several school-related fentanyl overdoses that went unreported
for weeks, Youngkin issued an executive order requiring parental notification
within 24 hours of a student overdose.



Both policies remain top priorities for Governor Youngkin as fentanyl remains
a persistent threat in Virginia.




IN CASE YOU MISSED IT




WJLA: 'We cannot coddle drug dealers:' Youngkin looks to address fentanyl
crisis in Virginia
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By Nick Minock
November 24, 2023



As a flood of fake pills laced with fentanyl are being distributed in the
D.C. region, Virginia lawmakers are expected to tackle the growing issue in the
upcoming legislative session.



“I think that the legislature is going to be closely divided as it was
previously,” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares told 7News. “I think we
have a real opportunity to lock arms together and find areas of agreement.”



…



One area for possible agreement is more funding through the budget. However,
there may be continued disagreement on tougher penalties for drug dealers.



Earlier this year, Virginia Democrats blocked a bill that Governor Glenn
Youngkin and Miyares pushed for that would have created stricter penalties on
people who manufacture, sell, gift or distribute schedule I or II controlled
substances.



…



“I believe if you're a drug dealer and you deal drugs and someone dies, you
should be charged with a felony homicide, full stop, no questions asked,”
Youngkin told 7News. “We cannot coddle drug dealers.”



Although Democratic lawmakers may try to block the deal again, at least one
Democrat might vote for the legislation.



State Senator-elect Russet Perry told 7News, “Those who are trafficking in
fentanyl are taking advantage of people struggling with addiction and should be
held accountable. I support a separate and distinct charge of felony homicide
in those cases.”



…

A Perry spokesperson also told 7News that Perry is open to legislation that
would require schools to notify parents immediately of fentanyl overdoses at
schools and notify parents when schools discover fentanyl on school grounds.



Following 7News’s reporting on how the Loudoun County Superintendent didn’t
notify the public for weeks about several student overdoses, Youngkin signed an
executive order requiring notification to parents within 24 hours of student
overdoses. It’s an EO that Youngkin wants to codify into state law.



“Imagine had [Loudoun County Public Schools] told parents early on and say
‘hey, listen, this is what's going on. Tell your children to not take any pill.
They're counterfeit, they're laced with fentanyl’. [LCPS] might have avoided
numbers two through nine [overdoses at Park View High School in Sterling]. They
didn't do that. There should be a law,” Youngkin said.


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