Posted 1/18/2024, 10:52:00 PM
Youngkin Pushes for Tougher Fentanyl Penalties After Democrats Reject Bill Amid Rising Deaths
- Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says imposing harsher penalties on fentanyl dealers "is just common sense" after Democrats voted down a tougher bill
- The bill would have expanded how dealers could face murder charges in users' overdose deaths
- Youngkin notes 5 Virginians die daily from fentanyl, calls it an "overwhelming challenge"
- Study found record number of teens died from overdoses in 2022, making it the 3rd leading cause of death
- Republicans argue the bill aims to deter dealers amid spikes in fentanyl deaths, Democrats favor treatment approach