Washington — The Senate unanimously passed Senator Evan Bayh’s Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2010.  The legislation, which Bayh introduced with Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Charles Grassley (R-IA), will dramatically increase jail time for drug dealers who target children with candy-flavored methamphetamine, marijuana and other illicit drugs.

The Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act increases the penalty for distributors who attempt to flavor, color or package drugs to resemble candy and appeal to minors.  Some of these drugs have child-friendly names like Pot Tarts.

The legislation specifically criminalizes both the manufacture and distribution of these so-called “candied” drugs, doubling the maximum jail time for a first offense and tripling the maximum sentence for any subsequent offense.

“The practice of marketing candy-flavored drugs to minors is dangerous, immoral and must be stopped,” Bayh said.  “Individuals who use marketing gimmicks to get our children addicted to drugs belong in jail.  Our legislation ensures that is exactly where they end up.”

The Saving Kids from Dangerous Drugs Act of 2010 has been endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.

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