Senate Bill 1 targets sale of fentanyl

Senate Bill 1 targets sale of fentanyl

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Senate moved legislation Wednesday to increase criminal penalties for the possession and sale of fentanyl, a powerful opioid that’s being added to heroin and leading to increased overdose deaths.

Senate Bill 1 passed on a vote of 27-6 and heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.

Fentanyl, a large animal tranquilizer, is typically used in anesthesia to treat patients with extreme pain or to manage pain after surgery. The drug is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.

Among other provisions, SB 1 would increase the criminal penalties for the selling, possessing or otherwise providing fentanyl to others, with lower amounts required for higher felony convictions. Addicts caught with the drug also would be eligible for treatment as part of their sentencing.

Facing drug charges after traffic stop

AUSTINTOWN

Police found suspected crack cocaine, several syringes and other drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop on Tuesday, according to a report.

Officers stopped a car driven by Ross DeWeese, 27, of Mineral Ridge, after a registration check. The check determined that DeWeese’s license was suspended and he had an outstanding warrant.

Upon searching his car, officers found a plastic bag containing suspected crack, a crack pipe, a burnt spoon with suspected heroin residue, two used syringes and four unused syringes.

DeWeese is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and drug-abuse instruments. Charges on possession of cocaine are pending tests of the suspected crack.

Easter Egg hunt set at Poland school

Poland

Your Helping Friends, a recently formed local charity organization, will host an Easter Egg hunt at 11 a.m. Saturday, rain or shine.

The event will take place at Poland North Elementary School, 361 Johnston Place.

Poland residents Lisa Weimer, John Opritza, Lisa Folkwein and Renee Burnett created Your Helping Friends, with a mission to be a catalyst for positive change in the community, inspiring people to “pay it forward.”

The egg hunt is open to children age 2-10 and advises guests to bring their own baskets. The event also will have prizes, snacks and face-painting.

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