South Carolina parents support stricter fentanyl sanctions

Many parents who lost their children due to street fentanyl have called on the South Carolina General Assembly for more action against drug dealers.

Currently in South Carolina, there’s no mandatory minimum sentence for people convicted of pushing large amounts of fentanyl. Families went to Columbia on Thursday to appeal to lawmakers for further action.

Amid tears and intense emotions in the legislature, the parents spoke out wanting to make sure their kids’ lives didn’t end in vain. After listening to their stories, lawmakers began discussing ways to toughen penalties for dealers pushing fentanyl.

“I’m hoping they will see faces and see our children on our posters and hear our stories,” said Holly Alsobrooks, who spoke to Channel 9′s Tina Terry about their goal.

Alsobrooks and other parents took the memories of their kids to the state house. Many of their children died from fentanyl poisoning after they took the pills.

“His friend had given it to him, and it was 100% fentanyl, there was no Percocet in it,” Alsobrooks said. “None of these kids are wanting to die. These are poisonings.”

The parents attended a South Carolina House Subcommittee meeting, where lawmakers discussed House Bill 3503, which would establish a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years for the first-time offenders convicted in South Carolina of trafficking at least four grams of fentanyl and fentanyl-related drugs. For larger amounts, or if the suspect is convicted of causing death by fentanyl-related substances, the sentence could be increased.

“Nothing changes if nothing changes, the laws in South Carolina need to change,” said Jenna James, another parent in attendance.

But there wasn’t unanimous support for the proposed legislation. One opponent stated that four grams was too little for addicts and could lead to unfair punishments.

“This bill should not be directed at addicts, it should be directed at drug dealers,” said Jae McCullough with the South Carolina Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

One local sheriff told Channel 9 that he’d use the House bill to take big fentanyl dealers off the streets and not target drug users.

The parents say South Carolina has to start somewhere, and they’re hoping leaders will act soon.

“We have to feel like we’re doing something, we’re making a difference and that our kids didn’t die in vain,” Alsobrooks said.

Two other fentanyl-related bills will also be up for debate during this legislative session. On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB1, which allows suspects to be charged with “fentanyl-induced homicide.” The Senate also passed SB153, which would set a mandatory minimum sentence for people convicted of pushing fentanyl.

HB3503 didn’t pass out of committee on Thursday, but lawmakers will schedule another hearing to discuss it further.

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