Fentanyl eradication act garners support from local Sheriff

While the Georgia General Assembly passed numerous bills this session, one with strong support from a local law enforcement leader is now heading to the Governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 79, otherwise known as the Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act, passed the General Assembly on March 28, and after a quick amendment, headed for Governor Brian Kemp’s signature on April 7.

Sponsored by local senators John Kennedy and Larry Walker, the bill reduces the threshold for fentanyl trafficking charges. Anyone caught with more than four grams could face a minimum of ten years in prison and a $75,000 fine.

Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton expressed his full support for the bill, saying he believes lawmakers are taking appropriate steps to eliminate the drug.

“Any assistance that we get from our state legislators towards punishment for those that are bringing in this poison that’s killing our community members, I support it. I support this 100%,” he said.

The trafficking threshold for fentanyl would be comparable to Schedule I controlled substances, such as heroin, Moulton explained.

“Bringing fentanyl down to what we’re seeing heroin as is going to help us. It’s going to stiffen the punishment, and hopefully, it’s going to be a deterrent from these people not taking the risk to bring this chemical back into Houston County,” he said.

Fentanyl, Moulton said, is a synthetic opioid; a very small amount – about two milligrams – can trigger an overdose.

“If you poured about four or five grains of salt out on a table and looked at it, that amount of fentanyl is a lethal overdose,” he said.

Moulton noted that many individuals who overdose on fentanyl are unaware that they have consumed the drug.

“Fentanyl is such a dangerous drug and it’s being laced or mixed with any other drug that’s out here on the street. Oftentimes the victims of overdoses don’t even know that it’s fentanyl that they’ve taken. So we’re working really hard to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl and to raise their awareness,” he said.

Fentanyl use in the county is a “devastating pandemic” that affects people of all ages, races, and economic statuses, as described by Moulton, who has a background in narcotics investigation.

“It affects everybody, and it’s going to continue to affect everyone in the community until we’re able to get rid of it – put a stop to it. I think this legislation is going to help us do that,” he said.

Local officials are concerned about drug trafficking and usage in the county, especially due to fentanyl’s potency. These concerns have led to community outreach efforts and Moulton is hopeful that state law can aid them in addressing this issue.

“I think it’s going to help us a lot. We, of course, deal with all types of drugs. All the drugs are bad in and of itself and the impact that it has on the community,” he said. “But fentanyl has been exceedingly bad because it just takes a very little amount of fentanyl to cause a lethal overdose.”

In partnership with the Houston County Coroner’s Office, the Warner Robins Police Department, and the Houston County School District, the sheriff’s office is hosting opioid awareness assemblies for local schools and the general public. The first assembly was held in March, and more are planned for the future.

“We hope that by educating the public and making them aware of just how dangerous this drug is if we can keep one kid or one adult from making the choice to try it, then saving one person is worth it,” Moulton said.

Lawmakers’ recognition of the severity of fentanyl trafficking is appreciated by Moulton, who is hopeful that the senate bill will have an immediate impact if signed into law.

“With the legislation taking this type of approach to fentanyl, to stiffen the punishment, to lower the amounts that are required for a trafficking charge, I think is going to go a long way to help us eradicate this problem,” he said.

The sheriff’s office can anonymously receive information about anyone selling fentanyl and can provide resources to aid recovery for those struggling with addiction. Moulton encourages the public to attend an upcoming assembly or watch it on Facebook.

“Listen to what we’re saying and take it to heart that this is a very dangerous drug, and it takes a very little amount to create a lethal overdose,” he said.

Connect with the Sheriff’s Office on Facebook at “Houston County Sheriff’s Office-GA” for the latest updates. The agency’s next public awareness assembly will be held May 14, 6:30 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church.