Chicago Passes Club Drug Laws As M&M's Branded Drug Paraphernalia

New laws passed this week (1st January) in the birthplace of house music Chicago, mean that people convicted of possessing more than 15 ecstasy pills in Illinois will automatically receive jail sentences of 6 to 30 years (six years being the statutory minimum).

"We've had all these kids dying of overdoses from club drugs, but no one has been held responsible, because the penalties were too light," Joseph Birkett, the official behind the move, told the Chicago Tribune. "These drugs are dangerous, and that's how the law is going to treat them now."

Chicago's move came just weeks after DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) chief Asa Hutchinson publicly blamed raves and club promoters for encouraging ecstasy use, suggesting that "huge profits blind them to the tragic consequences of club drug abuse." (EMDEF). Appearing before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Hutchinson also revealed the DEA have broadened the musical definition of what they consider to be "raves".

"Apparently now it's not just techno music that drives these "Drug Taking Festivals" - but also "'industrial' or other forms of pulsating music," EMDEF (Electronic Music Defence Fund) said this week.

"Also expanded was the list of items that the DEA consider to be 'paraphernalia.' In addition to water, glow sticks, pacifiers, dust masks, and vapour rub (eg Vicks), Hutchinson said eye drops, juice, sports drinks, soft drinks, Skittles and M&Ms (chocolate drops) are also 'paraphernalia'," said EMDEF.

http://www.chicagotribune.com

http://www.emdef.org (Help defend US club culture)

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/cngrtest/ct120401.html (Full text of Asa Hutchinson's Congressional Testimony)
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