Graham introduces Legislation aimed at fighting Opioids

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is working on legislation to help fight the opioid epidemic and ensure penalties for fentanyl distribution and trafficking better reflect the nature of the crime. Fentanyl, a fully synthetic opioid, is 100 times more powerful than morphine. It has been a driving force behind the opioid epidemic in the United States and is being dumped here predominantly from China. Specifically, this bill will reduce the amount of fentanyl required for mandatory sentencing minimums to apply in distribution cases. It will also provide resources to the Post Office to stop shipments of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids arriving from overseas. Sen. Graham said, “Fentanyl is one of the most deadly drugs on the market and I look forward to working to substantially increase penalties for those who traffic this horrific drug. I’ll also be working with others to explore the possibility of even stronger penalties, that could include the death penalty if the fentanyl results in someone’s death, for those who choose to push this deadly drug into our communities. Increasing these mandatory minimums is well-justified.”