Contact:
Jim Cyr
Communications Director
Office of the Maine Senate President
(207)287-1501

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bill to Increase Penalties for Drug Dealers Involved in Fatal Overdoses Advances in Maine Legislature

AUGUSTA – The Maine Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee today approved a bill that will increase the penalties for those who provide drugs to Mainers who die as a result of taking those substances.

Senator Scott Cyrway (R-Kennebec) is the sponsor of LD 42, “An Act To Deter the Dealing of Dangerous Drugs.”  If signed into law, it would enable prosecutors to charge drug dealers with Class A manslaughter if they traffic or furnish a drug that causes death when a person injects, inhales or ingests it.

Senator Cyrway spent his entire career in law enforcement, most of it as a deputy with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a DARE officer and recently won a lifetime achievement award from that organization.

“Hopefully this will put drug dealers on notice,” Cyrway said. “If they are going to bring the poison that is killing our people to Maine, they are going to be held accountable.

“I am overwhelmed at the outpouring of support for this legislation, and am hopeful it will gain the support of the full Legislature.”

###