Governor Dunleavy proposes tougher penalties for controlled substance deaths

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – Governor Mike Dunleavy announced legislation on Monday, October 17th that will target the fentanyl crisis in the state of Alaska.

The law, according to the governor’s press release, states that if someone dies from ingesting a controlled substance, the person who sold them the substance can be charged with second-degree murder.

This crime is punishable by a sentence of 15 to 99 years.

The governor’s proposal follows an effort that was shut down earlier this year to develop strategies to combat the fentanyl and fentanyl opioid abuse epidemic.

In a press conference, Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Cockrell said, “We have a flood of drugs coming into our state that are affecting the lives of our young people. These drugs are destroying people’s lives, our communities and our culture. Drug dealers are playing Russian roulette with our people. We have to stop this.”

The proposal is expected to be introduced in the state legislature in the next legislative session next year.

It also includes a vehicular homicide statute, something that does not currently exist in Alaska’s criminal code, according to a press release.

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