Jax's Law: A Proposal to Combat Illicit Opioid Trade in California
Join us in our fight to end the opioid epidemic in California by supporting this critical legislation aimed at addressing both sides of the supply and demand cycle, targeting those who manufacture, traffic, or sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals and dispensary products, while also providing funding for expansive public service messaging as well as increasing the availability of drug treatment and counseling options. An undeclared war has been leveled on our most vulnerable, and as a civilized society, it is imperative that we respond in kind, employing every possible tool to protect those in our society who need it most. Jax’s Law is the latest tool for taking on this daunting task.
This proposed legislative bill is designed to address the growing opioid crisis in California in part through a comprehensive approach. The bill aims to target individuals involved in the production, distribution, and sale of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and unauthorized dispensary products with penalties that are more appropriate to the elevated threat their actions represent. By targeting these specific activities, the legislation seeks to reduce the flow of dangerous illicit substances, protect public health and commerce, saving lives along the way. The bill outlines specific measures to increase penalties for offenders, provide funding for extensive public service campaigns, and provide expanded support for free or affordable addiction treatment and prevention programs. We believe that by addressing this crisis as a threat to both consumer and legitimate commerce, this legislative proposal will garner broad support, both politically and from all affected entities as well. Moreover, statistics support the targeting of counterfeit drugs, as we have seen recent increases of seized drugs falling into this category approaching 80% of all drugs seized in California. Take out the counterfeits and change the landscape for the better.
The bill proposes significantly higher fines and longer prison sentences for those convicted of manufacturing, trafficking, or selling counterfeit pharmaceuticals. Enhanced penalties will also be included for those who harm minors under 18.
Additional resources will be provided to engage and educate the public on current and future counterfeit drug threats, meeting Californians where they are — from billboards and schools to radio, TV and social media.
Funding will be allocated to support addiction treatment programs and preventive measures to help those affected by the opioid crisis and reduce needless suffering and death.
Another day, another sad milestone, it seems. Yesterday, we lost Jax’s beloved goldfish, “Blub.” It may seem like a small thing, being “just” a feeder goldfish you could pick up at any pet store for a few cents, but this fish was dear to Jax, and to the rest of us in Jax’s absence. Blub has been with us some four years or so, always swimming around in its bowl on the kitchen counter, always aware and responsive to human presence. Blub really seemed fond of all of us, and we were fond of Blub. We will be burying Blub under the river at “Jax’s Way,” where many objects of art and symbolism lie in loving remembrance.
If there is any love or justice in this vast universe, Jax and Blub (and the rest of our departed loved ones) are now together in perpetual joy and happiness. And someday, we too will join them again.
This is Skylar Mitchell, aka Skyy Mitchell. She is the 24 year old dealer who is responsible for the death of our Jax, and has even admitted as much, in the face of overwhelming evidence. This piece of garbage is dead to rights on the evidence, and yet, she walks free while the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office hems and haws over whether they have enough to prosecute her for 2nd Degree Murder or to push for a lesser charge. Why, is not exactly clear to us.
Let me break this down for you…
This person sold fentanyl to Jax, and has admitted to it.
The fentanyl sold to Jax was being deceptively passed off as either Percocet or Xanax. Why press fentanyl into something that looks like a legitimate prescription drug, if not to deceive?
The dealer has had a previous brush with the law, in which (thankfully) the (also fentanyl) victim was saved by the timely administration of Narcan.
Jax was given no such option.
The dealer has also admitted to being a fentanyl USER. Which strongly suggests a) she knew what she was selling; and b) given the amount of press given the topic of fentanyl deaths, the “reasonable person standard” strongly suggests she knew that she was putting our Jax at risk — but she did it anyway, to make a few bucks.
Let’s be perfectly clear. If I knowingly sold you rat poison and told you it was aspirin, and you died from ingesting it, that would be a poisoning with what the law refers to as IMPLIED MALICE — knowing something was deadly and pushing it anyway. This is what makes it MURDER. And our case should be no different. And yet…
The LA DA suggests that the dealer being a user might somehow provide a mitigating factor that counterbalances the “reasonable person” argument shown above. We are currently awaiting a decision on whether the case will be taken up by the DEA and the federal court system, in which case, this crime will very likely be prosecuted as 2nd Degree Murder — as we believe it should be. But due to some unfortunate differences in California law, it seems most likely that the charge would only be Involuntary Manslaughter. What does this mean to us? The difference between 20 years and MAYBE three.
Our Jax is gone forever. Meanwhile, this complete waste of oxygen, Skylar Mitchell walks freely, and is almost sure to be still dealing deathly fentanyl to support her own habit.
How should we feel about this? How do YOU?
So that everyone is aware of this walking crime wave and exactly how to avoid her social media presence, here are a few links where she can be found:
