INCREASED PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYING CHILDREN TO DISTRIBUTE DRUGS NEAR SCHOOLS AND PLAYGROUNDS.

SEC. 140006. INCREASED PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYING CHILDREN TO DISTRIBUTE DRUGS NEAR SCHOOLS AND PLAYGROUNDS. Section 419 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 860) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection: “(c) Notwithstanding any other law, any person at least 21 years of age who knowingly and intentionally— “(1) employs, hires, uses, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces a person under 18 years of age to violate this section; or “(2) employs, hires, uses, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces a person under 18 years of age to assist in avoiding detection or apprehension for any offense under this section by any Federal, State, or local law enforcement official, is punishable by a term of imprisonment, a fine, or both, up to triple those authorized by section 401.” .