In Texas, one thing most people agree on is this—we don’t want drug dealers in our communities. While law enforcement officers work hard to keep drugs off our streets, the problem still continues, and sadly, it’s now reaching young people through social media.
To fight back, the Texas House has approved a new bill that would increase penalties for drug dealers who use platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) to sell illegal substances.
What Led to This New Law?
The bill was introduced after a heartbreaking case in 2023 where 14 teenagers near Dallas overdosed on counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Four of them lost their lives.
Investigators later found out that cartels were involved and had been using social media apps to target students and sell these dangerous pills.
Senate Bill 1833: What It Means
The proposed law, known as Senate Bill 1833, is designed to punish drug dealers more severely when they use social media to distribute drugs.
Here’s how the penalties would change:
- If a dealer is caught using social media, their penalty would be raised to the next highest level of offense.
- A first-degree felony would come with an extra five years in prison.
- Any cash fines would be doubled.
- The bill also includes a major change: accidental overdoses caused by drugs like fentanyl or other synthetic opioids would now be classified as poisonings.
If passed into law, these changes would start on September 1, 2025.
Why This Bill Matters
Dealing drugs is already dangerous, but using social media to spread them, especially to teens and children, is even worse. Lawmakers and many Texas residents feel that harsher penalties are necessary to stop this new kind of drug trafficking.
Social media platforms are being used as a tool for drug dealers, and this bill is trying to make sure they pay a higher price if caught.