BILL WOULD BRING TOUGHER PENALTIES TO ECSTASY DEALERS

State College, Pa. -- Ecstasy dealers would face the same penalties as
heroin dealers under a bill sponsored by a Centre County lawmaker.

Republican Sen. Jake Corman, joined by county District Attorney Ray Gricar
and state Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike
Fisher, said Tuesday the bill would help convince Ecstasy users that the
drug is not harmless.

"I think it's a drug that has not been taken as seriously as it should be
by our young people," Corman said. "This drug has been looked at as sort of
harmless."

Under the proposal, possession of 15 grams (about 50 pills) could result in
a 5-year prison sentence and $15,000 fine; 30 grams could result in 10
years and a $100,000 fine; and 300 grams could result in 15 years and a
$250,000 fine.