Pubdate: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 Source: Quad-City Times (IA) Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times Contact: http://www.qctimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857 Author: Richard Goldstein, Quad-City Times SENATE BILL WOULD GET TOUGH ON SELLERS OF ECSTASY Proposal Also Raises Penalties On Other 'Club' Drugs SPRINGFIELD Sellers of "club" drugs came under fire Tuesday as legislation that would stiffen penalties for possession with intent to distribute the drug ecstasy advanced in the Illinois Senate. But even as the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the measure 10-0, Steve Patton, whose daughter died in 1999 of an overdose of the drug, said harsher penalties are not the best way to prevent more deaths like hers. He said reducing the profitability of the pills and increasing education about the drug's dangers would be more effective. "If there is some way to take away the profitability in it," Patton, of Springfield, said outside the committee meeting. "I can't tell the wonderful senators to legalize it and charge a nickel." The legislation has been nicknamed "Kelley's Law" in honor of Patton's daughter, Kelley Baker, who died at age 23 after taking ecstasy in 1999. "One pill can cause brain damage or even death," he said. Ecstasy users describe its effects as good feelings and increased energy. The drug is associated with raves, or all-night parties, which feature rhythmic music and dancing. Patton stressed that there is great incentive to sell the drug, which costs about 50 cents per pill to make. The pills are sold for $20 to $30 each. The legislation, which was approved by the House 116-0, now moves to the full Senate for consideration. The measure would make penalties for possession and distribution of ecstasy similar to those for cocaine and heroin. Under current law, people caught with the drug with the intent to sell it could be placed on probation. With at least 50 grams of the substance, they also would be subject to four to 15 years in prison. If they were caught with less than 50 grams, they could be sentenced to two to five years in prison. The legislation would require prison time for anyone convicted of having at least 15 grams of ecstasy - about 65 pills - with intent to distribute them. They could be sentenced to six to 30 years in prison with no possibility of probation. The same penalty would apply if someone delivered the drugs to a person who died after taking them. "We need to do something to put some teeth into the law," said the sponsor, Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale. - --- MAP posted-by: Andrew