COST OF SELLING ECSTASY IN JERSEY INCREASES TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON

`Love Drug' tied to brain damage and death.

With tablets of the illegal designer drug Ecstasy on display, Gov.
Christie Whitman yesterday signed legislation that significantly
increases the penalties for dealing the mood enhancing "Love Drug."

Used mostly by teenagers and college students, often at all-night rave
dance parties, Ecstasy can heighten energy and pleasure sensations,
but can also boost body temperatures to dangerous levels and cause
paranoia and possible brain damage.

"Today we strike a blow against dependence in our society . . . .
Today, on the eve of Independence Day, we take up arms against these
dangers." said Whitman at a Statehouse bill-signing ceremony.

The new law puts sales of Ecstasy on a par with hard-core drugs like
cocaine and heroin. Those selling 5 ounces of Ecstasy - roughly 475 to
500 pills - would face a first-degree felony with up to 20 years'
imprisonment and a fine of up to $500,000. Selling between one-half
ounce and 5 ounces would be a second-degree offense, with up to 10
years' imprisonment.

Selling Ecstasy had been a third-degree crime, no matter what amount
was sold. Sales of under 50 pills will remain a third-degree offense
under the new law.

"We will not tolerate the sale, use and distribution of this drug in
New Jersey," Whitman said. "A quick thrill isn't worth the
long-lasting, permanent damage you can do to yourself. ....It's just
like playing Russian Roulette with a gun."

Sens. Peter Inverso (R-Mercer) and Norman Robertson (R-Passaic) sponsored
the measure, along with
Assemblymen Paul DiGaetano (R-Passaic) and Guy Gregg (R-Morris).
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First Assistant Attorney General Paul Zoubek promised increased undercover
activities in dance clubs
throughout New Jersey to fight use and distribution of the drug. He noted
the Margate club
"Delirium" was closed after authorities found Ecstasy was used and sold on
the premises.

Authorities warned that other establishments could lose their liquor
licenses if Ecstasy use is found on the premises.

"We have beefed up enforcement," Zoubek said. "Our message to those
who sell Ecstasy is this: Our undercover narcotics officers can dance
too."

As part of an increased public awareness program, posters showing
dancing teenagers and young adults with the warning "Narcs can dance"
will be displayed around the state.

And radio ads statewide already have begun to warn teenagers and young
adults of the physiological and psychological dangers of Ecstasy.

Under the influence of Ecstasy, severe dehydration and potentially
fatal rises in body temperature - up to 107 degrees - can occur. Brain
damage and death are possible. After using Ecstasy for several days
last summer, a 17year-old Ocean County girl became paranoid and died
after jumping out of a speeding car.

"We're out to save lives," said Morris County Prosecutor John Dangler,
who heads up the state prosecutors' association.