Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2001
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Ann Landers
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

BLACK MARKET ECSTASY HAS NO QUALITY CONTROL

DEAR ANN: This is in response to the letter about ecstasy from Donnie 
Marshall of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The ecstasy 
knock-off known as PMA that has been taking the lives of young people 
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 from readers on the subject:

 From Dallas: Ecstasy is fun. It gives you an overwhelming sense of 
happiness and love. 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 high school student 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.

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

Nashville, Tenn.: 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 as a result of the incident.

Sydney, Australia: Here in Australia, there are RaveSafe 
organizations that provide guidelines on how to stay safe while using 
ecstasy. They stress the importance of drinking water to prevent 
dehydration and offer much sound advice. You also can buy testing 
kits that will tell you if the pills contain MDMA or something more 
dangerous.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe