Lawmakers Protect Drug Dealers, Melendez Alleges

Melendez: Public Safety Democrats Protect Drug Dealers as SB 350 Fails Passage in Committee

RIVERSIDE – Senate Bill 350, also known as “Alexandra’s Law,” which Sen. Melissa Melendez, R -Lake Elsinore, introduced failed to pass. It was aimed in large part at drug dealers. Only one Senator, Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh, R – San Bernardino, voted in support of the bill in the Senate Public Safety Committee.

“Drug Dealers have a financial incentive to sell Fentanyl,” said Melendez. “A little Fentanyl goes a long way and makes them a lot of money. Middle schoolers, high-schoolers, college kids, teachers, babysitters, truck drivers; they’re all dying from being poisoned unknowingly by drugs made to look like a prescription pill.”

Senate Bill (SB) 350, also known as “Alexandra’s Law,” would have provided an advisory notifying convicted drug dealers their actions can kill.  In court, it would serve as a warning that should they be convicted again and kill someone, prosecutors may charge them with manslaughter or murder.  Known as a “Watson Advisory,” this notification is the same as that provided to people who kill someone in drunk driving cases.

“Today the Legislature had an opportunity to prevent future fentanyl deaths and instead chose to side with drug dealers,” Melendez said in a prepared statement.  “Today’s outcome isn’t what the supporters of SB 350 or I wanted, but we’re not done fighting to ensure drug dealers are held accountable for the lives they take.  This is only the beginning and the fight is not over.”

In recent months, 50% of all drug-related deaths in LA County were connected to fentanyl poisoning. San Francisco is reporting more than 600 people have died so far this year, far outpacing the number of their COVID-19 related deaths. San Francisco has also released data related to approximately 3,000 uses of Narcon – which is used to reverse a drug-induced fatality.

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State Senator Melissa A. Melendez represents the 28th Senate District which is entirely encompassed in Riverside County and includes the cities of Blythe, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, Lake Elsinore, La Quinta, Murrieta, Temecula, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, and Wildomar.. Follow her on Twitter: @senatormelendez