An ongoing epidemic, that saw an increase in drug overdoses and overdose deaths in 2020, received a breath of life in the form of a bill filed with the help of Onslow County s senator.
One week ago, Senator Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow) announced the introduction of SB 321 called the Amend NC Controlled Substance Act . The bill is seen as a tool to help combat the fight against the opioid crisis in North Carolina by making fentanyl distribution and possession a Class 1 felony.
Simple possession of fentanyl is currently a misdemeanor in the state as the bill would bump offenders up to a maximum punishment of two years in jail if convicted.
Here in Eastern North Carolina the small, yet fruitful progress made in reopening local economies has begun to move in the wrong direction.
Starting Friday, Governor Roy Cooper has issued a modified stay-at-home order with a curfew that requires people to stay home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. running through Jan. 8.
Now, some of the same questions that arose during the first stay-at-home order are coming to light. After experiencing Black Friday shopping, most businesses were witnessed enforcing shoppers wearing masks. But mainly, how will local law enforcement interpret Cooper s mandate.
New Bern
During the initial stages of Phase 1 reopening throughout the state, mask mandate was the common phrase discussed between business owners, consumers, and law enforcement.