Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jul 2001
Source: Beacon Journal, The (OH)
Copyright: 2001 The Beacon Journal Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.ohio.com/bj/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/6
Author: Ann Landers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

USE OF ECSTASY DRAWS COMMENTS PRO AND CON

DEAR ANN: This is in response to the letter from DEA administrator 
Donnie Marshall about ecstasy.

The ecstasy knockoff known as PMA that has been taking the lives of 
young Americans is today's version of bathtub gin. The black market 
has no controls for quality or user age. Unlike legitimate businesses 
that sell alcohol, illegal drug dealers do not ask for ID. They push 
trendy, synthetic ``club drugs'' when given the chance. The drug war 
fails miserably at its primary mandate -- protecting children from 
drugs.

The Netherlands has successfully reduced overall drug use by 
regulating and taxing marijuana as a legal drug and establishing age 
controls.

Politicians should stop worrying about the message drug policy reform 
sends and start thinking about the children. -- Robert Sharpe, 
Program Officer, the Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation, 
Washington, D.C.

Dear Robert Sharpe: Thanks for your interesting viewpoint. I hope 
your letter will wake up some of those ``sleeping beauties.'' Here's 
more on the subject:

 From Cuyahoga Falls: I am 19 and have been attending raves for two 
years. People go for the music, not the drugs. Security personnel 
frisk everyone.

Dallas: Ecstasy is fun. It gives you an overwhelming sense of 
happiness and love. True, it's not real, but so what? If you take 
ecstasy, be sure you get it from a trusted source and drink lots of 
water. Also, don't take any alcohol with it. It could result in brain 
damage or death.

Johnstown, Pa.: I am a senior in high school and have been going to 
raves almost weekly. I took my mother to a rave, and we danced until 
5 a.m. She had the time of her life. We were drug-free and surrounded 
by friends.

Nashville: It's been two years since my experience with ecstasy, and 
I am still in therapy. I was almost raped and have lost my short-term 
memory.

Sydney, Australia: Here in Australia, there are RaveSafe 
organizations that provide guidelines on how to stay safe while using 
ecstasy, including the need to drink water to prevent dehydration. 
You also can buy testing kits that will tell you if the pills contain 
MDMA or something more dangerous.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.: While the letter about ecstasy was valid, I 
would like to point out that glowsticks are not a dependable sign of 
ecstasy use. Glowsticks are very popular dance props with teen-agers 
who listen to techno, electronic or rave music.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: It is not fair to label all ravers as drug 
users. I am 17 and go to raves every Saturday, and I don't use drugs. 
Ecstasy is available in lots of places, including rock concerts and 
college parties.

Oakland, Calif.: If ecstasy were legal, rave promoters and staff 
would be able to help injured kids without fear of legal reprisal. 
People are worried they will be arrested if they take someone to the 
hospital or call 911. That's the real problem.

Ann Landers' column is distributed by Creators Syndicate.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe