Today lawmakers approved a 1.5 million dollar statewide drug enforcement program known as Granite Hammer.
After a lengthy procedural debate in the House over whether to proceed with the special session, members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill. The legislation, based on a Manchester Police Department initiative, would create a grant program to fund drug enforcement efforts at county and local police departments.
Republican Representative Shawn Jasper argued in favor of the bill.
“People are dying by the hundreds in this state and they’re dying from heroin, most of it laced with fentanyl. It’s Russian roulette, and we need to do everything humanly possible to get those drugs off the streets.”
Some opposed to the measure argued the money would be better spent on treatment.
Following the vote in the House, the Senate unanimously approved the bill, which is expected to be signed by Governor Hassan soon.
