ECSTASY DRUG

The House Thursday passed legislation that would elevate the drug ecstasy
to the same criminal level as cocaine, heroin and LSD, as well as make it
easier for prosecutors to charge people with drug-induced homicide.

Under the current law, a drug dealer with possession of up to 900 doses of
ecstasy can still receive probation for a first offense. House Bill 126
would bring the criminal category for MDMA, the active ingredient in
ecstasy, to the same level as other "hard" drugs.

A conviction for "possession with intent to distribute" of up to 200 doses
of ecstasy could bring up to 30 years in prison under the proposed law.

HB 126 also would allow prosecutors to file a charge of drug-induced
homicide if someone gave another person a drug that resulted in his or her
death, regardless of the quantity.

DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett said the drug-induced homicide
charge has been active for nine years, but he knows of only one case in
which it was used.

The bill still needs approval of both the Senate and the governor before it
can become law.