New Qld laws target drug dealers

Dealers who supply drugs that cause a death could soon face harsher penalties in Queensland.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says a bill being introduced to parliament on Wednesday means judges will have to consider if any deaths resulted from a drug deal.

He says that could lead to more serious charges being laid against dealers, such as manslaughter.

"Under Queensland laws at the moment, if you supply a drug which leads to a death, it's very hard to get charged for the death that results because of the drug supplied," Mr Bleijie told ABC radio.

"We're going to be changing that now, to give judges full discretion but also making sure that people are held responsible for their actions."

He said he hoped it would act as a deterrent.

"The drug dealers, they don't care about the pain and suffering they inflict on people. But they may think twice now about the consequences of someone dying because of them."