Rep. Helfrich: House OKs tough-on-Fentanyl bill

Representative Helfrich Chief Sponsors Legislation to Fix Fentanyl Laws
By Oregon State Representative Jeff Helfrich,

SALEM, OR –Legislation Representative Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) chief-sponsored to fix Oregon’s fentanyl laws passed the House along an overwhelmingly bipartisan 59-1 vote.
Oregon law currently provides no criminal penalties if an individual possesses more than 1 gram but less than 5 grams of Fentanyl. HB 2645 would recognize this possession as a misdemeanor. It also provides a legal framework for prosecuting the possession of Fentanyl in pill form.

According to CDC data, there were over 73,000 overdoses across the United States from Fentanyl last year. According to the Oregon Health Authority, Fentanyl is now the second leading cause of unintentional overdose in Oregon.

“We know that Fentanyl is killing our friends and neighbors throughout Oregon,” Helfrich said. “I am proud to have chief sponsored this legislation along with Representative Morgan. Our drug laws in Oregon are broken, and allow too many to suffer in silence. HB 2645 is a small step in the right direction. I will work to ensure this legislation passes the Senate and is signed into law.”