For example, in 1998, 3.6 percent of twelfth-graders reported that they had used Ecstasy in the past year. In 1999, that figure jumped to 5.6 percent. Recently, a Naperville Central high school senior died after ingesting what she thought was Ecstasy, but was actually PMA, a powerful variant of the drug. And our children are under the impression that these drugs are not dangerous, that they are no big deal. In fact, they are a big deal.
Studies show that even short-term use causes permanent damage.
The Club Drug Anti-Proliferation Act will address the growing club drug problem in two ways. First, it increases the base level offense for club drug-related crimes, making them equal to those of methamphetamine. The practical effect of this provision would be to double the current penalties for club drugs like Ecstasy. In addition, the bill will require that a component of the National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign address synthetic drugs such as Ecstasy. Now it the time to act before the use of Ecstasy and its more potent cousins becomes the next drug epidemic.