BLACK MARKET ECSTASY HAS NO QUALITY CONTROL

DEAR ANN: This is in response to the letter about ecstasy from Donnie
Marshall of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The ecstasy
knock-off known as PMA that has been taking the lives of young people
is today's version of bathtub gin. The black market has no controls
for quality or user age. Unlike legitimate businesses that sell
alcohol, illegal drug dealers do not ask for ID. They push trendy,
synthetic "club drugs" when given the chance. The drug war fails
miserably at its primary mandate - protecting children from drugs.

The Netherlands has successfully reduced overall drug use by
regulating and taxing marijuana as a legal drug and establishing age
controls. Politicians should stop worrying about the message drug
policy reform sends and start thinking about the children.

- - Robert Sharpe, program officer, the Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy
Foundation, Washington, D.C.

DEAR ROBERT SHARPE: Thanks for your interesting viewpoint. I hope
your letter will wake up some of those "sleeping beauties." Here's
more from readers on the subject:

From Dallas: Ecstasy is fun. It gives you an overwhelming sense of
happiness and love. If you take ecstasy, be sure you get it from a
trusted source and drink lots of water. Also, don't take any alcohol
with it. It could result in brain damage or death.

Johnstown, Pa.: I am a high school student and have been going to
raves almost weekly. I took my mother to a rave, and we danced until
5 a.m. She had the time of her life. We were drug-free and surrounded
by friends.

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio: I am 19 and have been attending raves for two
years. People go for the music, not the drugs. Security personnel
frisk everyone.

Nashville, Tenn.: It's been two years since my experience with
ecstasy, and I am still in therapy. I was almost raped and have lost
my short-term memory as a result of the incident.

Sydney, Australia: Here in Australia, there are RaveSafe
organizations that provide guidelines on how to stay safe while using
ecstasy. They stress the importance of drinking water to prevent
dehydration and offer much sound advice. You also can buy testing
kits that will tell you if the pills contain MDMA or something more
dangerous.