Pubdate: Wed, 09 Apr 2003
Source: Gloucester County Times (NJ)
Copyright: 2003 Gloucester County Times and MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact: http://www.gctimes.com/S-ASP-Bin/ContentFrmBldr.ASP?puid=2583
Website: http://www.gctimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1153
Author: Terrence Dopp 
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?158 (Club Drugs)

GOV. MCGREEVEY SIGNS LAW TARGETING CLUB DRUGS 

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 fines would grow from 3 to 5 years
in prison and a possible $15,000 fine for possession of ecstasy to up to 10
years. For distribution of the drug, the penalties lodged would expand to as
much as 20 years in prison, according to John Hagerty of the Division of
Criminal Justice. 

"Obviously there is a concern about club drugs statewide," Hagerty, DCJ
spokesman, said. "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 in the Jersey Shore area. 

In the most recent example locally, three Willliamstown teens -- ages 15, 17
and 18 -- became ill and passed out last year after drinking GHB before
homeroom. The three drank the drug before entering school and authorities
locked the entire high school down after the three were rushed to Virtua
Health Systems. 

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-Washington Township, said he stands behind the
law. Geist, a past municipal prosecutor, authored a law funneling money from
some drug fines into the DARE education 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."
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