DA testifies on Fentanyl bill

Over 150 people signed up to testify on HB22-1326, Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention, including Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein.

On Tuesday, April 12, over 150 people signed up to testify on HB22-1326, Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention, to address fentanyl through behavioral health and criminal approaches. Amendments to the bill will be considered today, April 13, at 1:30 p.m.

Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein (right) testifies before the Colorado House Judiciary Committee on HB22-1326.

Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine. HB22-1326 would make it so any person convicted of a fentanyl-related offense would undergo a substance abuse assessment, which may require treatment and the completion of a fentanyl education program developed by the Department of Human Services (CDHS).

Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein has been involved in the bill’s creation and believes the bill will provide prosecutors with the tools needed to put dealers in prison and protect communities.

Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein tells the House Judiciary Committee that the fentanyl crisis demands an aggressive response to hold dealers accountable and remove this deadly drug from the streets.

“We are seeing unprecedented numbers of overdose deaths in Colorado. The fentanyl crisis demands an aggressive response that will hold dealers accountable and remove this deadly drug from our streets, and that’s what this comprehensive fentanyl legislation will do,” said Rubinstein. “This bill will save lives by giving prosecutors the tools we need to put dealers in prison and protect our communities. This legislation will allow us to respond aggressively to dealers who take Coloradans’ lives when distributing this drug, and I encourage lawmakers to pass this bill.”

For more information on HB22-1326, visit leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb22-1326.