N.J. LAWMAKERS TO DISCUSS EFFORTS TO BAN HALLUCINOGENIC HERB

Three New Jersey lawmakers will discuss on Friday their efforts to get
banned salvia divinorum - a powerful hallucinogen that kids can buy
over the Internet.

Reps. Linda Stender, D-Union, Jack Conners, D-Camden, and Herb
Conaway, M.D., D-Burlington, will hold a news conference to discuss
their herb and its dangers.

Also attending the news conference will be Delaware lawmaker Sen.
Karen Peterson and the parents of a 17-year-old Delaware youth who
committed suicide after using the drug.

The N.J. lawmakers have introduced legislation to classify salvia
divinorum and its hallucinogenic chemical extract - salvinorum A - as
a scheduled I controlled substance, such as marijuana, peyote and LSD.

Peterson has sponsored similar legislation in her state. Kathy and
Dennis Chidester are the parents of Brett, a 17-year-old Delaware
youth who used salvia before committing suicide earlier this year.