Morrisey signs Lauren's law and opens up drug crime

The crime, an initiative by President Donald Trump at the beginning of his second term, was taken by governor Patrick Morrisey when he signed the Senate Bill 196, known as Lauren's law.

Lauren Renee Cole, the 26-year-old Morgantown and student of the WVU, died of an opioid overdose on July 9, 2020.

Morrisey signed the legislation in Lauren's wish, an organization that Coles father Michael Cole began after her death.

Lauren's law changes the West Virginia Criminal Code by increasing the penalties for crimes related to drugs. It creates mandatory prison terms from 10 to 40 years for people who are involved in drug transport and for Kingspins. The law also increases the penalties for the transport of fentanyl into the state and for conspiracy for the transport of drugs.

“Today we send a message to the drug slogans that try to poison our citizens: in West Virginia they will be held accountable,” said Morrisey. “Lauren's law will make a significant contribution to helping our state dealings with drug epidemic and aims directly at the drug dealers.”

Michael wrote accessible to his daughter, which he described as a good listener, and “the definition of the girl next door” via the Lauren Wish website.

Cole tried opiates for the first time with her boyfriend and a few friends when she was 16 years old. She fought quietly in the next two years until she finally asked for help and was approved in a rehab facility.

“Unfortunately, the world moves very quickly and recovery is slow,” said Michael. “It was exhausting for Lauren to fight for her life every day.”

Lauren resigned in 2020, shortly after Covid-19 hit the United States.

“On July 5, 2020, Lauren learned that her training partner had tested positively on Covid-19 in the gym,” said Michael. “This meant that she could not work, could not go to the gym, could not report voluntarily and could not visit family or friends.”

Drug use and overdosing rates rose during pandemic and reached a record high.

The American Psychological Association reported that more than 80,000 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2021.

APA attributes this increase to several pandemic stress factors, including increased insulation, economic difficulties and disorders of treatment services.

Holly Belmont can be contacted with [email protected].