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In Maryland, lawmakers are taking a stand against fentanyl and heroin dealers by pushing for stronger penalties. According to NBC Washington news, the proposed legislation, supported by families who have tragically lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses, aims to hold dealers accountable and provide justice for the victims of the opioid crisis.
One of the most poignant moments of the bill’s push came when Scott Broadfoot Sr., wearing a shirt with his smiling son’s face, shared the emotional story of his son Scottie’s overdose in 2019. Scottie’s death from fentanyl, Broadfoot said, came with the crushing realization that his family had never received the justice they deserved. He wasn’t alone in his fight. Other parents, like those who lost their children Ashleigh and Yader, have been advocating for years to bring stricter consequences for fentanyl dealers.
In a powerful statement, Maryland Del. Chris Tomlinson explained that the bill is named in honor of four young Marylanders who lost their lives to fentanyl overdoses. “Victoria, Scottie, Ashleigh and Yader’s Law” is a direct response to the growing number of overdose deaths in the state and aims to ensure that dealers who cause harm are held to account.
The proposed bill would dramatically increase the penalties for those who distribute fentanyl or heroin, with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years for those whose drugs result in death or serious harm. This change would not only make the penalties for fentanyl dealers tougher but also allow cases to be prosecuted in the jurisdiction where the distribution or overdose occurred. This provision would help reduce the burden on grieving families, who often have to fight cases in distant cities or counties, making an already painful process even harder.
Edith Montalvan, another mother who has felt the devastating impact of fentanyl addiction, testified in support of the bill, stating that it is essential for families like hers to get justice and closure. For many families, the current penalties feel inadequate, and the emotional toll of seeing little punishment for those responsible for their loved ones' deaths is unbearable.
Montgomery County Police Captain Nick Picerno, who also supports the bill, highlighted the frustrations of law enforcement when cases they’ve worked hard on result in minimal consequences for dealers. “After all the work that we’ve done, the emotion, the families who have testified, only for the person involved to serve six months in jail? It’s doubly victimizing these people,” he said.
Despite failing to pass in the previous legislative session, lawmakers behind the bill are hopeful that 2025 will be different, especially with the moving testimonies of affected families. Scott Broadfoot Sr. remains steadfast in his mission to continue advocating for those who have lost their lives to fentanyl and to educate the public about the dangers of this potent drug. "I will never stop," Broadfoot vowed.
While the Senate hearing on the bill did not result in a vote, the House version is set for discussion next week. Lawmakers have until April 7 to push the bill through and bring much-needed change to Maryland’s fight against fentanyl distribution and overdose deaths.
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