CONCORD, N.H. —
Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement late last week on a series of bills to toughen penalties on fentanyl dealers.
Republicans on the House Criminal Justice Committee want to increase sentences for drug dealers who bring fentanyl into New Hampshire with the intent to distribute it and those who deal fatal doses to drug addicts.
Some House Democrats, though, said the penalties won’t work.
“I understand why bills like this are submitted, but the reality is to a large extent they are political theater and they really won’t help us accomplish anything,” Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth, said.
“Everybody thinks they have the best way to solve this problem, so we admit there is a problem. I can’t think of a better way to stop something than to have this kind of a deterrent,” Rep. Jennifer Rhodes, R- Winchester, said.
Both bills now head to the House floor.
The House Criminal Justice Committee on Friday also sidelined one bill to increase prison sentences for fentanyl possession.
KC Downey, WMUR News 9
