Dianne Feinstein: “today I join with Senator Grassley in introducing the Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2007. This bill would…”

“today I join with Senator Grassley in introducing the Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2007. This bill would increase the criminal penalties that apply when criminals market their illegal drugs to our children, using appalling techniques like the recently reported sales on our streets of candy-flavored methamphetamine. In particular, the bill would: double the maximum penalties applicable to drug crimes if a criminal defendant manufactures, offers, distributes, or possesses with intent to distribute a controlled substance that is flavored, colored, packaged or otherwise altered in a way that is designed to make it more appealing to a person under the age of 21; if the violation is a repeat offense, the maximum sentence would be tripled; and a mandatory minimum prison sentence of at least a year would apply in every case involving illegal drugs that targets its marketing at minors. The growing problem of marketing illegal drugs to minors was highlighted in a recent USA Today article, entitled "Flavored Meth Use on the Rise," which stated, "Reports of candy-flavored methamphetamine are emerging around the nation, stirring concern among police and abuse prevention experts that drug dealers are marketing the drug to younger people." Normally, methamphetamine--a highly addictive stimulant--is a brownish, bitter-tasting crystalline powder.”