FIGHT ECSTASY

WASHINGTON -- DuPage County officials are on the right track when they
call for increased state penalties against Ecstasy dealers. As your
Jan. 13 story pointed out (Metro, "DuPage officials urge state to
toughen penalties for Ecstasy sellers,") the existing penalties in
most states amount to a mere slap on the wrist.

The same has long been true for federal penalties relating to
so-called club drugs. Last year Congress took steps to change that
with the unanimous passage of my Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act, which
was signed into law in October.

The legislation is aimed at punishing those who profit from
poisons--not teenagers who make bad choices.

Relatively low sentences for smuggling large quantities make Ecstasy
an extremely valuable commodity.

Under current sentencing guidelines, selling 1,000 doses of ecstasy
will net the dealer only about a year in prison.

It is also important that states join the fight. Together we can
educate people about the proven dangers associated with Ecstasy and
put dealers on notice that the party is over.

Sen. Bob Graham