RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper signed the 'gas station heroin' ban into law Monday, according to the NC General Assembly.
This means 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.
Both chambers of the NC General Assembly passed a bill on Thursday, June 28, advancing the bill that outlaws the sale or possession of a substance called tianeptine.
Lawmakers added the provision to Conference Report HB250 on that Thursday, ensuring its passage.
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 the vote on June 28, WFMY News 2's Chad 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.
Since signed into law, tianeptine will be considered a controlled substance on December 1st. Law enforcement will then treat it like actual heroin.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.