State Rep. Dave Prestin voted in support of legislation to crack down on fentanyl traffickers in Michigan. Michigan suffered 2,287 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023, a 250% increase from a decade earlier. The plan passed the House with broad, bipartisan support.

“Increasing the penalties for fentanyl traffickers will show criminals that they are not welcome in our communities — we’ve already lost enough,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “And should they be stupid enough to peddle on our street corners and tempt our kids with their poison, they should know that when we catch them, they’re going to get hit with the full brunt of our criminal justice system.”

Fentanyl has become the drug of choice for traffickers and dealers because of its availability and relatively cheap price, although it does have approved medical uses when prescribed by a doctor for pain relief and sedation.

When used for its intended purpose, can alleviate pain in a highly effective way. However, fentanyl is increasingly being taken by opioid addicts and is making its way into other illicit and black-market drugs, which frequently leads to overdoses that induce respiratory failure, leading to death.

The U.P. is no stranger to fentanyl-related deaths. In the last few years, five young men have died of a fentanyl overdose in Rapid River. Several of those young men graduated high school together in 2021. The overdose crisis led to the creation of a group, Overdose Awareness of Delta County, who work to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl.

“No town should have to see four boys buried early because of this poison,” Prestin said during a floor speech Wednesday. “These wounds will take generations to heal. The crosses remembering those four boys still stand in Rapid River and they’re parents are watching our actions today.”

The plan to crack down on fentanyl traffickers, House Bills 4255 and 4256, would increase penalties for fentanyl trafficking. Under the bills, the manufacturing, sale, or possession with intent to sell would bring the following sentences:

– 1000 or more grams – a sentence of 30 years to life with a $2 million fine.

– 450 to 1000 grams – a sentence of 15 to 40 years with a $500,000 fine.

– 50 to 450 grams – a sentence of 10 to 25 years with a $250,000 fine.

– Less than 50 grams – a sentence of 5 to 20 years with a $25,000 fine.

The plan also would impose a 10-to-40-year sentence for adults found selling fentanyl to minors.

The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.