Pubdate: Sun, 11 Aug 2002
Source: Marietta Daily Journal (GA)
Copyright: 2002 The Marietta Daily Journal.
Contact:  http://www.mdjonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1904
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1449/a07.html

PAULSON'S COLUMN STRUCK ANTI-ECSTASY LAW EFFORT ON HEAD

Ken Paulson's Aug. 4 column on the hypocrisy of aging Grateful Dead fans in 
the Senate seeking to criminalize America's latest youth subculture trend 
was right on target. While European nations have 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 RAVE Act targets dance clubs that provide life-saving 
harm-reduction education, water and "chill rooms" designed to prevent 
ecstasy-related heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening concern. 
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 inevitably lead to preventable deaths, our government 
is spending millions on an advertising campaign designed to drum up 
political support for the war on (some) drugs. The Partnership for a 
Drug-Free America's sensationalist anti-ecstasy ads show apparent 
indifference among ecstasy users when fellow ravers fall unconscious. These 
ads have zero credibility. Teenagers know ecstasy produces strong feelings 
of empathy. The ads targeted at parents show a grieving father whose 
daughter died of an alleged overdose. Parents will no doubt relate to this 
one. The likely result of the government's politically motivated 
anti-ecstasy campaign is teenagers continuing to use ecstasy and parents 
continuing to support zero-tolerance drug laws. Apparently, keeping the $50 
billion drug war gravy train chugging along is more important than 
protecting children from drugs.

Robert Sharpe

Drug Policy Alliance

Washington, D.C.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens