Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) | Martin McLaughlin
Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) | Martin McLaughlin
State Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Lake Barrington, added his voice to the chorus of lawmakers backing legislation to target the growing fentanyl problem that is sweeping across the state like a tidal wave.
In the wake of a press conference by Republican House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, McLaughlin took to Facebook on March 16 to express his support for his GOP colleagues.
"House Minority Leader Tony McCombie and my fellow Republican members held a capitol press conference to discuss legislation aimed at combatting the ever-expanding fentanyl crisis in our communities," McLaughlin said in a post on Facebook.
House Bill 3210, according to a State Journal-Register report, would increase penalties for anyone selling a scheduled drug containing fentanyl by amending the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. It also would increase penalties for using any form of electronic communication to peddle the drugs, according to the report.
Demonstrating the need for the legislation, the State Journal-Register reported that the Illinois Department of Public Health is detailing a spike in synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and that is fueling a rise in opioid-related deaths. The publication cited IDPH data that showed opioid-related deaths have jumped by 2,736% over the last decade and almost 2,500 people lost their lives in 2020.
State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, told the State Journal-Register that many of the treatment options aren’t always pleasant for the person on the drug because it withdraws them from the narcotic immediately. He told the publication a person whose life was saved may not be happy with the results immediately afterward.
Moreover, the report also noted that HB 3210 proposes prison terms from nine to 40 years for anyone caught selling the substance with fines of up to $250,000.
The legislation, according to the report, also would impose a $100,000 fine on anyone using an electronic device in the transaction. According to the report, HB 3210 has been referred to the House Rules Committee for its consideration.
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