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