Pubdate: Sat, 07 Dec 2002 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2002 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Author: Peter Urquhart Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) RISK REDUCTION SHOULD BE PRIORITY How is it that people such as Judge Cathy Everett -- who are clearly ignorant of the relative risks of, and social contexts surrounding, recreational youth drug use -- are placed in a position of authority on the subject The facts are these: prohibition of relatively harmless recreational drugs such as alcohol, marijuana and ecstasy exacerbate rather than ameliorate the social impact of these drugs. The real health risks associated with ecstasy use are a source of considerable debate in the medical community. Risk reduction in the face of the inevitability of youthful experimentation should be a priority (condom machines in high schools anyone?). This is a principle accepted by all but a nutty minority when it comes to teen sexuality, so why not in all areas of potentially risky behaviour? Judge Everett demands of the kid, "I want you, at the end of this research, to understand why ecstasy is bad. I want you to be an expert on the topic." The young man has already exhibited some expertise in the matter, while it is clearly the judge who needs to do some research. Peter Urquhart, Montreal - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager