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.