DRUG'S REAL DANGER LIES IN MISINFORMATION

The two recent articles on ecstasy in The Advertiser ("Military steps
up war on Ecstasy," July 30; "Isle military sees first death tied to
Ecstasy," Aug. 1) add to the growing hysteria about the latest "drug
menace," but contribute nothing to the real problem.

Uncritical reporting of exaggerated claims, such as those made by Ken
Burtness, education coordinator for the Army's 25th Division
substance abuse programs, only adds to the confusion and fear
generated by the war on drugs, and does nothing to protect our youth
from drug-related harm. In fact, it does the opposite.

Anyone with basic knowledge of Ecstasy knows that the drug, in its
unadulterated form, does not cause violent behavior, is not a "big
time stimulant" and does not cause "semipermanent memory loss," as
claimed by Burtness. Such symptoms may result from ingestion of one
of the many fake Ecstasy pills found in the illegal market, or from
mixing Ecstasy with other drugs, especially alcohol. Therein lies the
real danger.

Increased enforcement efforts are unlikely to reduce the harms
stemming from the use of Ecstasy. An education program based on
honest information would be much more effective in preventing
drug-related harm. The national organization DanceSafe
(dancesafe.org) is a good place to start.

Donald M. Topping President, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii