Category Archives: Radio Commentaries

June 9, 2017 Radio Commentary

Posted on by

“Gray Death” Opioid Confirmed in Georgia

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 9, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

When a Georgia police officer caught up to the pick-up truck, it had stopped and the suspect was unconscious in the seat.  Immediately, the officer noticed a gray substance on the floor of the vehicle and called for help, knowing his response meant life or death for the suspect.

The officer recognized the substance as the same chemical that killed its first-known Georgia victim on February 10th this year.  Not only is it new in Georgia, it’s unlike any other natural or synthetic combination of drugs law enforcement has encountered in this state.

When the GBI identified it as highly toxic and deadly, a lab technician named it “gray death,” the term now used all over the country as an accurate description of the concoction – the latest and most deadly street drug available to addicts.  It may be in powder form or in a chunk, with ingredients that may vary from dose to dose.  Expert s described it this way: “The gray material was found to contain a toxic cocktail of opiate drugs.  The ingredients vary, but often contain heroin, two kinds of fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, and U-47700, all mixed together in the same powder.  The solid material has the appearance of gray concrete mixing powder, with texture variations from light/powdery to chunky/rock-like.”  Continue reading →

June 2, 2017 Radio Commentary

Posted on by

New Laws: Two for Guns, Three for Opioids

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 2, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

When Governor Deal signed H.B. 452, the legislation, actually, was two-bills-in-one because S.B. 1 had been amended onto H.B. 452 that passed March 30th and was signed by the governor May 8th.  So, the language of both will become law July 1st.

In its original version H.B. 452 was simple and short, but important.  It added a new Georgia Code section requiring the online posting of information about illegal aliens and others who are turned loose in Georgia after being released from federal custody.  Such information must be posted for the public to see within 12 hours after it’s received by the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and a copy must be sent to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, as well.

But, H.B. 452 became a seven-page bill when S.B. 1 was attached to it.  That addition further protects against terrorism by strengthening Georgia’s homeland security and intelligence-gathering efforts and creating a real-time way to communicate intelligence data among local, state, and federal authorities, whenever there’s a suspected terrorist threat or act. Continue reading →

May 26, 2017 Radio Commentary

Posted on by

New Laws: Two for Guns, Three for Opioids

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, May 26, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

When Governor Deal vetoed last year’s campus carry bill, he was concerned that it would have allowed firearms on preschool campuses or in disciplinary hearings or in faculty and administrative offices.

Since this year’s campus carry bill alleviates those concerns and restricts firearms in even more sensitive places, Governor Deal explained his change-of-heart this way: “While H.B. 280 addresses the rights and restrictions relating to weapons carry license holders on a college campus, it in effect may have greater significance for students who are going to or coming from a campus.  Unfortunately, in parts of the state, the path to higher education travels through dangerous territory…. In recent years, we’ve witnessed college students fall victim to violent attacks in or while traveling to libraries and academic buildings, and while traveling to and from their homes to class.”

H.B. 280, also, prohibits the carrying of concealed weapons onto or into athletic events; student housing, dormitories, fraternities and sororities; preschools and childcare facilities; as well as rooms or spaces used by colleges, career academies or other special schools.  Continue reading →

May 19, 2017 Radio Commentary

Posted on by

Governor Deal explained His Vetoes

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, May 19, 2017 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Governor Deal’s 40 days to sign or veto bills ended at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, May 9th.  On that day he went by state helicopter to Macon where hesigned several bills, including three about law enforcement.  He signed S.B. 174 to focus state probation system resources at the front-end of prison terms and reform the parole process.

He signed S.B. 175 to reduce juvenile delinquency and protect the public when a juvenile is deemed incompetent to go forward in the judicial process and to mandate parental accountability and parental involvement, as a strategy for reducing further delinquent conduct.

He signed S.B. 176 requiring notification of violators before bench warrants are issued for failing to go to court.  Also, it changes terms for handling Habitual Violator driving licenses.

On May 9th, the governor’s explanations for his nine vetoes were posted online.  For example:  H.B. 425 would have authorized local school systems to allow students to take assessments with paper-and-pencil, which the governor thinks would slow down the return of data and increase the possibility of cheating.  So, he vetoed H.B. 425. Continue reading →