Heroin Dealers Could Be Charged With Homicide in New York

Heroin dealers could be charged with homicide in the state of New York.

The Yorktown Daily Voice reports that the legislation passed allows law enforcement to charge a drug dealer with homicide if a person dies from an opiate controlled substance sold by that dealer. The law would specifically target those who seek to profit from heroin and other opioid sales. A witness or other person who may have been doing drugs with the victim at the time of the accidental overdose would not be charged however.

The measures are being put forth by the State Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. Heroin abuse has plagued many communities in New York state, and the new legislation would aim to target those who deal.

The task force has held forums over the past several weeks in Yorktown, Rochester, Lewiston, and Albany. Additional forums will be planned for more New York communities in the fall.