RALEIGH, N.C. — Both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly passed a bill Thursday, advancing the bill that outlaws the sale or possession of a substance called tianeptine.
Lawmakers added the provision to Conference Report HB250 on Thursday, ensuring its passage.
If signed into law by Governor Cooper, it would prohibit a drug that mimics heroin and is legally sold at smoke shops and some gas stations. It's sold under the name Red Zaza, among other things.
Representative Stephen Ross, a Republican from Alamance County, was a primary sponsor of the bill. He spoke with WFMY News 2's Chad Silber following Thursday's vote.
"I don't think I slept very much (last night) because I did not want to let these people down who have desperately emailed us and contacted us and given us the stories of what this has done to their families or loved ones, and I just could not let go," Ross said, adding this vote was half a year in the making.
"It was a great feeling because we have talked to so many families and so many people that have been affected by this particular substance," Ross said. "This has gone on now for a couple of months."
According to the National Institutes of Health, tianeptine is considered an antidepressant. Scientists said tolerance to it occurs rapidly and users might take 100 times the recommended dosage. Standard bottles have 15 capsules. The serving size is one capsule. Experts said it's not unusual for a user to ingest multiple bottles a day.
Earlier this year, we introduced you to a Montgomery County woman whose son is fighting an addiction to tianeptine. At the time, she shared how the substance affected her son.
"You get very aggressive, very hostile to your family," Monica reflected. "The withdrawals are awful, very bad muscle and bone aches."
After Thursday's vote, Silber was able to share the news of the bill's passage with Monica over the phone.
"I'm just so tickled because we have fought and fought and tried to do everything we can and nothing's happened until you helped," Monica said.
Lawmakers had been working on this bill for months, well before WFMY News 2 got involved.
If signed into law, tianeptine would be considered a controlled substance on December 1st. Law enforcement would then treat it like actual heroin.
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