The Iowa legislature recently passed through the governor’s recommendation to raise sentences for fentanyl-related crimes. 

The bill, House File 595 passed the House and Senate with overwhelming support which aims to stop people from being in possession of fentanyl laced drugs by increasing the penalties for those who manufacture and distribute the substance. House Representative for District 28 David Young voted for the legislation, and he says that this is a great first step to stopping the deaths caused by fentanyl in the state. 

“I’ve heard from many Iowans who have this deadly drug problem affecting their families and communities and the House and Senate passed a really strong bill to crack down on manufacturers and distributors.”

Young explains that this bill includes fines for up to a million dollars and punishment of 50 years for possession of high quantities on the drug. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio that there is another valuable component to the bill. 

“It increases access to Narcan, which is the counter effect to fentanyl that can be used right there on the spot to help save lives and reverse the effects of fentanyl.”

State data indicates there were 429 fentanyl deaths in 2021. The piece of legislation heads to the Governor’s desk for a signature.