These cases could reshape the way Pa. treats users who are accused of supplying drugs in fatal overdoses

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is weighing whether to add new legal protections for defendants accused of providing drugs that caused a deadly overdose.

A decision from the state’s highest court could address a frequent criticism of these overdose death prosecutions: that they target fellow drug users instead of high-level dealers.

But some justices appeared skeptical that they — and not the legislature — have the power to change how the law works.