PERRY, Ga. — A new state law that lawmakers hope will address the state's fentanyl crisis is now the law of the land. Austin's Law increases the punishment for drug dealers who illegally distribute fentanyl.
Senate Bill 465 is one of many laws that went into effect Monday morning. It punishes drug dealers if their product causes a fentanyl overdose. Under the law, these dealers could be charged with a felony.
"With the accountability, I think it will definitely help. It will make people think twice before selling it," said Tripp Talley who's the program director at Macon Recovers.
Under the new law, dealers can be charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter if they cause a death by a fentanyl overdose. If convicted, they can face between 10 to 30 years in prison or up to life.
Between 2019 and 2022, the State Department of Health said there was a 308% increase in fentanyl-linked overdoses.
Houston County Coroner James Williams said in the first three months of 2024, there were six overdose deaths all involving fentanyl.
Since then, there have been an additional 18 pending cases for toxicology reports with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Perry Police Chief Alan Everidge said they've been dealing with fentanyl overdoses for a while.
"I do think it's necessary. I think it gives us another tool to try to be a deterrent and hold people responsible for putting this poison on the street," Everidge said.
When it comes to trying a case under Austin's Law, Everidge said prosecutors and law enforcement will have their work cut out for them.
"I think there's a lot of learning in this law. I don't think you're going to see this case made every day or every week across the state of Georgia. I think it's going to take a lot to make these cases," Everidge said.
Everidge and Talley said this law is a step in the right direction.
"Do I think it's probably going to stop everybody from selling…no because there's a great customer base, unfortunately," Everidge said.
"The problem is going to continue to popping up you know if one person gets incarcerated and convicted and stops selling, there's going to be two more that pop up in their place," Talley said.
Talley said fentanyl overdoses have become part of everyday conversations. That's why they have overdose aid kits at spots around Macon filled with Narcan and fentanyl test kits.
He believes education is one of the alternative ways to fight against addiction.
"I think that's where the community as a whole can help steer people away from the criminal side of drugs," Talley said.