Pubdate: Wed, 09 Apr 2003
Source: Express-Times, The (PA)
Copyright: 2003 The Express-Times
Contact:  http://www.pennlive.com/expresstimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1489
Author: Terrence Dopp 
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

CLUB-DRUG DEALERS FACE DOUBLED FINES 

TRENTON -- Gov. James E. McGreevey has signed a law doubling penalties
lodged against those selling or possessing so-called club drugs.

The law would apply to drugs such as Ecstasy, gamma hydroxybutyrate or GHB,
"Special K" and methamphetamine, which proponents of the law maintain are
increasingly common -- particularly at underground dance parties and clubs
catering to those under age. 

GHB has also been labeled a "date-rape" drug by many, who contend the
odorless, colorless liquid can be used to incapacitate unknowing women. 

"People sometimes don't even know they've been drugged, and it demands just
as serious a response from law enforcement as other drugs," said McGreevey
spokesman Micah Rasmussen. "In some ways these drugs are more dangerous." 

According to one official, under the law penalties would increase from three
to five years in prison and a possible $15,000 fine for possession of
Ecstasy. For distribution of the drug, the penalties would expand to as much
as 20 years in prison, according to John Hagerty a spokesman for the
Division of Criminal Justice. 

"Obviously there is a concern about club drugs statewide," said Hagerty.
"Increasingly, these types of drugs are moving through the state and are
being used by younger people." 

Hagerty said law enforcement agencies often collaborate to crack club drug
rings, traditionally focusing in the summer at the Jersey Shore. 

Four Hunterdon Central Regional High School teens were taken to the hospital
after ingesting GHB in early 2000. The students -- two girls and two boys --
lost consciousness and vomited after taking the drug, which one boy sneaked
into the school in an iced tea container. None of the students was
permanently injured. 

And the drugs appear to be gaining popularity. 

According to one estimate, the U.S. Customs Service seized 400,000 Ecstasy
tablets in 1997. In 2001, Customs seized 7.2 million doses of the drug. 

Assemblyman George Geist, R-Gloucester, said he stands behind the law.
Geist, a past municipal prosecutor, authored a law funneling money from some
drug fines into the D.A.R.E. program. 

"We need to work overtime to protect our younger generation," Geist said.
"This law is aimed at preventing rave parties and certain dance clubs from
becoming the centers for distribution of these drugs." 

Assemblyman Michael Doherty, R-Hunterdon/Warren, also gave the law his
approval. 

"Illegal drugs are a tremendously negative force in our society. I would
support any law that punishes people who sell drugs," Doherty said. "We
really can't tolerate that type of behavior --particularly around our
schoolchildren."
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