| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| April 13, 2001 | Stephanie Brand (651-296-2317) |
ST. PAUL -- The Crime Prevention committee recently heard testimony from Representative James Clark (R-New Ulm), Matt Anderson from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office and Glenn Hardin, Toxicology Supervisor with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The group testified in favor of Clark's bill, House File 1808, which implements key changes in the law to combat "ecstasy" usage in the state. "We need to recognize the increasing use of this drug and provide adequate means for our judicial system to effectively combat those who engage in this illegal activity, especially those who peddle it to our children" said Clark.
The bill adds MDMA (commonly referred to as ecstasy) to Schedule I of the controlled substance schedules. MDMA is a street drug, which is a hallucinogen and a stimulant. This drug is already under schedule I pursuant to Minnesota Board of Pharmacy rules, but is not currently included in the statutory schedules. Schedule I controlled substances are substances with a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
This legislation also increases the penalty for selling ecstasy to a second degree offense, which means offenders could receive up to 25 years of imprisonment , a fine of not more than $500,000 or both.
The bill's provisions also call for a third degree charge for possession of MDMA or MDA in a school zone, park zone, public housing zone or drug treatment facility. MDA is a close substitute to MDMA.
"MDMA in its various forms is the new drug poisoning the youth of our state," said Clark. According to testimony offered by Anderson, the number of teenagers who have tried ecstasy is 10%, up from 3% just five years ago. That level of experimentation is consistent with cocaine.
Glen Hardin, Toxicology Supervisor for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension testified that the devastating effects of MDMA including brain impairment issues may surface when today's teens are in their late twenties to early thirties.
The bill is expected to be on the House Floor for a vote of the entire House of Representatives next week.
PHOTO (l. to r.): Matt Anderson, Hennepin County Attorney's Office; Representative James Clark; Glenn Hardin, Toxicology Supervisor, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Clark, along with his private practice, also serves as an Assistant County Attorney in Brown County. Representative James Clark is in his third term serving the citizens of District 23A. Clark is Vice Chair of the Transportation committee and a member of the Capital Investment, Civil Law, and Transportation Finance committees. District 23A includes portions of Redwood and Brown Counties.
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