PM PROMISES HIGHER ECSTASY PENALTIES

Ecstasy sellers will face life imprisonment if moves by the Government to
get tough on drug dealers become law.

The Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, said yesterday that the Government would
push Parliament to reclassify Ecstasy from a class B drug to a class A.

This would put Ecstasy in the same class as heroin, cocaine and LSD. The
maximum penalty for importing or supplying a class B drug is 14 years but
class A drugs carry a maximum of life imprisonment.

At present, Ecstasy users face a $500 fine or three months' jail or both.
That would increase to $1000 or six months in jail.

"We want to send a very clear message to importers, pushers and users that
these designer drugs are dangerous. They are illegal and the serious
consequences of both pushing and using should be clearly understood," she
said.

"We are not going to stand aside and allow people to destroy the lives of
many New Zealanders by extending the use of these designer drugs into our
country."

But the Labour leader, Helen Clark, said Mrs Shipley's proposed crackdown
ignored the social problems and the lack of funding for health and drug
treatment services which contributed to the increase in Ecstasy use.

"There needs to be a coordinated solution to New Zealand's growing drug
problem. Increasing sentences for dealing in drugs will have little effect
when police and health services are being steadily eroded."

Ecstasy, also known as the love drug, has traditionally been associated
with the club and dance scene. The first fatality in this country occurred
last October. Ngaire O'Neill, a 27-year-old Devonport Telecom worker, died
after taking the drug while at a dance party at a club in Karangahape Rd.

Last week five South Auckland secondary school girls were taken to
Middlemore Hospital after drinking a softdrink laced with Ecstasy. One was
placed in intensive care.

A Youth Law Auckland solicitor, Clair Trainor, yesterday said changing
Ecstasy's legal status would have little impact on young users because they
were ignorant about its class or any penalties it carried.

"It comes as a surprise after they have been arrested and charged."