Pubdate: Mon, 08 Jul 2002 Source: Peak, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Peak Publications Society Contact: http://www.peak.sfu.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/775 Author: Matthew Bailey Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1187/a02.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) THIS FORMER DEALER AGREES I am writing in response to Matthew Hulet's letter about legislation requiring promoters take responsibility for drug dealing at raves [...'Bout My Generation," Letters, June 17]. He makes several points that I would like to comment on. I agree completely with him on all of them. I am from Texas and spent much of my early youth in the Punk/New Wave (later to become Goth) scene in Dallas, one of the touted homes of ecstasy. When I first became aware of it, the drug was still legal to sell, and there was nowhere near the furor over it then. It was known then to be a psychiatric tool used in the treatment of PTSD, and other forms of psychiatric illness. I also know that because of the ingenuity of dealers - I was one for many years without ever being prosecuted; I decided to quit while I was ahead - that any means the government puts in the way of those who want the substance will quickly be overcome by those who supply it. Making someone outside of this chain responsible for what is a pointless and hopelessly futile law is a further travesty. He is right; education is what is needed, and real science into the effects of the drug on the human user. Research on animals will only tell us how the drug affects them. I know many people who used the drug often in the '80s who have had no problems with their lives, memories, or immune systems. I know of no one who took 'ecstasy,' and not something that was said to be ecstasy, that died from it. Also, the distinction needs to be maintained between the responsible use of any substance, and its abuse - or irresponsible use, which can only be learned by educating those who will use they drug despite the efforts of government and law enforcement to stop them. Hulet says it clearly "accepting with serenity that which we cannot change." I would lastly like to add: "Insanity is doing the same thing again expecting different results." What has the war on drugs been doing? The same thing over, and over, and over... Matthew Bailey - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager