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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 4, 2019 03:49 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative James B. Struzzi, II |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Help Prevent Overdose Deaths |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will directly prevent overdose deaths by legalizing fentanyl test strips for personal use only in the Commonwealth. We have seen the increasing tragedies associated with fentanyl and it is time to take action. Fentanyl is being added to heroin to increase its potency – often without the knowledge of those who use it – leading to additional overdose deaths. By allowing those who are in the grip of addiction to possess and use test strips to assure their own safety, we will be able to prevent overdoses. Under current law, test strips to detect fentanyl are defined as “drug paraphernalia” which are prohibited and carry serious penalties. To be clear, test strips which are possessed by those dealing in fentanyl would still be illegal. My legislation will allow the possession of test strips only for personal use to avoid deadly overdoses. As the opioid epidemic reaches catastrophic levels in Pennsylvania, we must continue to make laws and policies that work to save lives. I hope you will join me in this effort as we work to end this epidemic. |
Introduced as HB1741