New York Senate Passes Bills to Drive Out Drug Dealers

Legislation sponsored by New York State Senator Fred Akshar of Binghamton would strengthen penalties for selling drugs near a drug or alcohol treatment center.

The measure was among bills passed by the Senate April 30.

The Republican says the enforcement initiative is needed to go along with the $247 million secured in this year’s budget to improve prevention, treatment, recovery and education services in New York State.

The package of measures makes it easier to prosecute heroin dealers, establishes new penalties for heroin sales, cracks down on black market prescription drugs and adds new derivatives of fentanyl to the controlled substance list as well as Akshar’s bill to create 1,000 foot drug free zones around drug or alcohol treatment centers.

The package of bills now moves on to the New York State Assembly.

Meanwhile, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has announced the launch of a new website to make it easier to find a place to dispose of unused, outdated or unwanted prescription drugs.  The website: clearyourcabninet.com lists places that will dispose of medications, no questions asked.

In addition to feeding the addiction epidemic, unwanted medications that are improperly disposed of pose a danger to the environmnent.