FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lani Prunés
lprunes@famm.org
202.621.5066

 

FAMM Urges House Members Not to Expand Mandatory Minimum Sentences

WASHINGTON, DC ­ – FAMM today urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote “no” on H.R. 3537, the Dangerous Synthetic Drug Control Act of 2016. The bill, if passed, would add new synthetic drugs to Schedule I of the federal code, exposing countless people to mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years if they make, sell, or distribute the drugs to someone who dies from their use. For example, under current law, one drug user who sold or shared a Schedule I chemical with a friend who then overdosed from using the drug would be forced to go to prison for at least 20 years, even if he did not know of or intend his friend’s death.

FAMM director of federal legislative affairs Molly Gill issued this statement in opposition to the bill:

“Undoubtedly, these are dangerous substances, and the bill sponsors had the best intentions. But applying mandatory sentences to more chemicals and more people is not the answer. Mandatory minimum sentences aren’t preventing or deterring use of synthetic drugs. This bill is only going to expose more people to decades in prison for a strict liability offense. Congress should be scaling back mandatory sentences, not expanding them. That’s not the right direction for America to head in, and it’s not a solution to our drug problems.” 

 

FAMM, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, promotes commonsense sentencing and prison policies that increase public safety.

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