Protesters decry stalled fentanyl test strip bill; Texas House passes get-tough criminal penalties

Advocates for a bill to legalize fentanyl test strips blamed state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston — shown during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on April 3, 2019 — for committee delays on the legislation. (Credit: Emree Weaver/The Texas Tribune)

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Advocates for changing the state’s drug policies took over Sen. Joan Huffman’s Capitol office Thursday morning demanding her support for legislation that would legalize test strips that can detect fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is blamed for a rapidly growing number of overdose deaths.