Pubdate: Thu, 01 Aug 2002 Source: San Francisco Examiner (CA) Copyright: 2002 San Francisco Examiner Contact: http://www.examiner.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/389 Author: Robert Sharpe, M.P.A. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) RAVE NOT GOOD IDEA WHILE EUROPE has largely abandoned the drug war in favor of harm- reduction alternatives, our so-called leaders in Congress are seemingly intent on maximizing the harm associated with illicit drug use. The Reducing Americans' Vulnerability to Ecstasy (RAVE) Act article targets dance clubs that provide life-saving harm-reduction education, pill testing, and "chill rooms" designed to prevent ecstasy-related heat exhaustion ("Bill a buzzkill for raves," July 22). Sacrificing more children at the altar of the failed drug war in order to "send a message" is not in America's best interest. In addition to pushing legislation that will lead to easily preventable deaths, our government is spending millions on an advertising campaign that appears to be designed to drum up political support for the war on (some) drugs. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America's anti-ecstasy ads for kids show apparent indifference among ecstasy users when fellow "ravers" fall unconscious. These ads have zero credibility. Most teenagers know ecstasy produces strong feelings of empathy. The likely result of the government's anti-ecstasy campaign is teenagers continuing to use ecstasy and parents continuing to support harmful zero-tolerance policies. Apparently keeping the $50 billion drug war gravy train chugging along is more important than protecting children from drugs. Robert Sharpe, M.P.A. Program officer Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth