Pubdate: Mon, 13 Feb 2006 Source: Portage Daily Register (WI) Copyright: 2006 Portage Daily Register Contact: http://portage.scwn.com/forms/letter.html Website: http://www.wiscnews.com/pdr/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3779 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) REP. HAHN SEEKS STIFFER PENALTIES FOR ECSTASY Although it's a potentially much more dangerous drug, with the potential to cause heart and kidney failure, the penalties for possessing the "club drug" ecstasy are lower than those for first-offense possession of marijuana. Rep. Gene Hahn, R-Cambria, introduced a bill Tuesday that would change that. Under his proposal, possessing the stimulant synthetic drug could land an offender in jail for up to a year and net a fine of up to $5,000. A second drug-related conviction, including those for ecstasy, could land a 3 1/2-year prison term and a $10,000 fine. Currently, ecstasy possession carries a maximum penalty of up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. "This ecstasy is not in the proper category for penalties and fines," he said. With only a nominal fine and jail time attached to possession, "there are folks who are not giving too much thought to purchasing or selling ecstasy." Ecstasy is a less prevalent drug in the area than it was several years ago, Columbia County Detective Lt. Wayne Smith said. "We had a fairly significant problem with it, and we struggled with that problem because it involves mostly young people," Smith said. "Lately, other prescription drugs have really overtaken the whole segment of users. Where we would have seen ecstasy with a younger person, we're now seeing heroin and OxyContin or oxycodone." Marquette County District Attorney Richard Dufour also said his prosecutions for ecstasy possession have been rare, totaling no more than one or two instances in the last four to five years. "It's not a major problem we've had," he said. Hahn, however, said assistant district attorneys from Dodge and Dane counties testified on the prevalence of ecstasy in their counties at a Thursday committee hearing. Ecstasy is often referred to as a "club drug," because it is primarily used in night clubs and "raves," or high-energy dance parties that last for hours. Ecstasy can cause a number of adverse physical and psychological reactions in the body, including potential heart and kidney failure at raves, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Although it's primarily connected to all-night dance parties and clubs, "the reports we are getting is that it's no longer in the big gatherings. It's getting into private parties and homes," Hahn said. A measure substantially similar to Hahn's passed the Assembly 80-16 in February 2004, but died in the state Senate without making the floor. Hahn acknowledged time is running short to get the measure passed in this legislative session. but he believes the bill, AB 989, is on a fast track, having already had a committee hearing Thursday. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman