NEW STATE LAW STRIKES HARD AT ECSTASY USE

TRENTON -- Governor Whitman on Monday signed into law tougher criminal
penalties for possessing and selling the designer drug Ecstasy.

"Today, on the eve of Independence Day, we continue our fight against
dependency -- drug dependency -- by taking up arms against Ecstasy,"
Whitman said. "Because the use of Ecstasy is growing -- but is not yet
as common as other drugs -- we are doing something now. The
legislation that becomes law today gives our law enforcement officers
a new weapon to prevent an explosion in the use of this drug."

Law enforcement officers claim the drug now popular among teens and
young adults at so-called rave parties can cause sudden illness,
including artificially high temperatures that can kill.

The drug known as Ecstasy is the synthetic compound 3-4
methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine, or MDMA. Other similar compounds
found to be dangerous have sometimes been sold under the same name,
and other nicknames include "X," "XTC," and "Adam."

Under the law, Ecstasy is in the same legal class as heroin and
cocaine. People holding 5 ounces or more -- about 500 pills that carry
a street price of $20 -- would face a prison term of up to 20 years.

"The new law puts Ecstasy dealers on notice: We won't tolerate
trafficking in this drug, and we will punish you severely if you do,"
the governor said.

Possessing Ecstasy had been rated as a third-degree criminal drug
offense with a maximum prison sentence of five years. State law had
set no degrees of punishment for offenders with increasing amounts of
the drug.

The new law keeps the third-degree offense only for those caught with
less than half an ounce. Offenders with between half an ounce and 5
ounces will now face up to 10 years in prison, a second-degree crime.
Each ounce is about 100 pills.

The law also provides for warnings to parents and teenagers through
the state Health and Education departments about the risks of Ecstasy.
The warning will include letters home and posters for schools and
health facilities.

"This new law sends a message to New Jersey's young people as well:
Stay away from Ecstasy. In fact, stay away from all drugs," Whitman
said. "A quick thrill isn't worth the threat of long-term damage to
your health and your future."