Gwinnett County police used a new state law to arrest another suspected fentanyl dealer after a fatal overdose.

This year, lawmakers passed Austin’s Law, which makes it easier for law enforcement to bring charges against accused fentanyl dealers following a fentanyl overdose death.

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Gwinnett County police officers have been among the most active in the state in recent months when it comes to using Austin Law to bring charges against suspects.

The law was named after Austin Walters, who, according to his family, died of a fentanyl overdose in Lowndes County after taking a Xanax pill.

“I’m so glad we now have a tool to enforce this,” said Beth Walters, Austin’s mother.

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However, she says news of arrests under this law can be bittersweet.

“It’s a mixed bag because unfortunately someone had to die for Austin’s law to go into effect,” she said.

On Friday, Gwinnett County police announced they had made their second arrest under Austin’s Law in two months.

Police said they responded to a home near Lawrenceville last month and found a 23-year-old man dead from a fentanyl overdose.

They linked his death to his alleged dealer and convicted felon, 39-year-old Emory Clark.

Under Austin’s law, suspects in fatal overdoses can be charged with manslaughter even if they invoke the most common defense.

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“The drug dealer can’t say, ‘Hey, I didn’t know there was fentanyl in there,'” said Beth Walters.

State Senator Russ Goodman supported Austin’s bill.

In his opinion, an awareness campaign should be the next priority.

“I think we need to educate our kids more about how deadly this stuff is,” he said.

Following his arrest, Clark faces up to 30 years in prison under Austin’s Law.