Drug-free school zone bill heads to full Senate

Legislation strengthening Oklahoma’s drug-free school zones is headed to the full Senate.  Senate Bill 1674, by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, would make it a felony to purchase or possess methamphetamine, heroin or cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school.

“When a parent sends their child to school, they should be worried about whether they do well on their test or make the basketball team, not whether their child is being exposed to meth, heroin or some other dangerous drug,” Murdock said.  “Someone who thinks nothing of selling or possessing drugs within mere feet of a school full of children is a danger to those kids and to our communities.”

The felony penalty for violating Oklahoma’s drug-free school zones had been a felony but was changed to a misdemeanor with 2016’s passage of State Question 780.  Murdock’s bill restores the felony penalty for possession or buying drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, although marijuana possession would still be treated as a misdemeanor. Those under 18 or students who are 18 years or older but enrolled at the school would be exempted from the felony charge.

Murdock said one of the most important jobs of legislators is public safety—particularly protecting the health and well-being of Oklahoma children.

“I think most people would be shocked to know that between 2007 and 2017 fatal meth overdoses in Oklahoma increased by 787 percent,” Murdock said.  “These are deadly, deadly drugs, and we need to be doing all we can to keep them away from our children and demand true accountability for those who flagrantly put their health and safety at risk.”

For more information, contact Sen. Casey Murdock at 405-521-5626 or email Casey.Murdock@oksenate.gov.

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