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As America readies itself for a new war, to rid Israel-- oops, we meant Iraq-- of weapons of mass destruction, let us pause to consider how a still unfinished war-- the war on drugs-- may soon be coming to a dance club near you.

Democratic and Republican drug warriors, with the blessing of the Bush administration, are pushing legislation to punish club owners-- and mere event impresarios-- with prison and crippling fines if ecstasy and other "club drugs" are used on the premises-- even if they had nothing to do with the activity and knew nothing about it.

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"This legislation could have a devastating effect on the electronic dance music community," contends the web site of Ravers Organized Against the Rave Act.

The "Reducing Americans' Vulnerability to Ecstasy" (RAVE) Act extends the provisions first cooked up to target venues where crack cocaine is sold, and extends them to clubs and events at which participants sell or use ecstasy and related drugs.

In addition, the proposed law adds a $250,000 civil liability clause to the existing criminal penalties surrounding sale and possession of ecstacy on top of the present draconian penalties of 20 years' imprisonment and $500,000 fine.

The preamble to the legislation underscores the culpability of club managers and promoters by noting that they sell, or allow the sale of "(A) neon glow sticks; (B) massage oils; (C) menthol nasal inhalers; and (D) pacifiers that are used to combat the involuntary teeth clenching associated with ecstasy."

Debate rages among scientists about the long-term effects on the brain of ecstasy and other designer drugs. But one thing's certain: the legal weaponry being assembled to attack ecstacy's use and its users constitutes overkill, guaranteed to produce more evil than it will eliminate.