Beginning July 1st, drug dealers can now be charged with manslaughter if they sell fentanyl and it results in an overdose. Manslaughter carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years on top of any drug related charges.
Guided through the legislature by Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin in May, the bipartisan legislation hopes to curb fentanyl deaths by holding illegal dealers accountable.
““Our approach stands on four principles: interrupt the drug trade, enhance penalties for drug dealers, educate people about the dangers of fentanyl, and equip them to save the life of someone in crisis,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin’s originally preferred the charge felony homicide but negotiated with the legislature to arrive at the manslaughter charge. (RELATED: Virginia Scores Big Settlement In Opioid Litigation)
Virginia has seen a 44% drop in fentanyl deaths in the past year since the state began prioritizing opioid awareness. President Donald Trump has prioritized responses to the fentanyl trade including working with the Department of Treasury to end money laundering that funds the illegal drug industry. (RELATED: Virginia Poised to Make history in Governor’s Race)
Sharon Roberts, who advocated for stiffer penalties for dealers after her son died when his Xanax was laced with fentanyl, called the stiffer penalties a “huge win” for families.
“[The law is] a big win for us moms today,” she said at a bill signing ceremony. “Real huge win and for Virginia. So excited about it.”
Almost 1,400 Virginians died of drug overdoses in 2023.