COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR DRUG CONVICTIONS

People convicted of drug possession charges would be required to perform
community service under a bill approved Thursday by the House Judiciary
Committee.

The measure, which goes to the full House for debate, also would increase
criminal penalties for people convicted more than once of possession of
illicit drugs.

That provision is aimed at drug dealers who, to avoid conviction on more
serious drug offenses, carry only enough of an illicit drug to be convicted
repeatedly of possession, said committee Chairman Jeffrey Lamberti,
R-Ankeny.