DRUG POLICY: THE AGONY OF ECSTASY

Dear Ann Landers:

This is in response to the letter from DEA administrator Donnie Marshall
about ecstasy. The ecstasy knockoff known as PMA that has been taking
the lives of young Americans 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, MPA, 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 on
the subject:

From Dallas: Ecstasy is fun. It gives you an overwhelming sense of
happiness and love. True, it's not real, but so what? 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 senior in high school 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: 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.

Sydney, Australia: Here in Australia, there are RaveSafe organizations
that provide guidelines on how to stay safe while using ecstasy,
including the need to drink water to prevent dehydration. You also can
buy testing kits that will tell you if the pills contain MDMA or
something more dangerous.

Oakland, Calif.: If ecstasy were legal, rave promoters and staff would
be able to help injured kids without fear of legal reprisal. People are
worried they will be arrests if they take someone to the hospital or
call 911. That's the real problem.

Cincinnati: Some raves let you in for a reduced fee if you bring canned
goods for food drives. Others raise money for local charities. Ravers
have a saying, P.L.U.R., which means Peace, Love, Unity, Respect.

New York: I used ecstasy for five years, but only on weekends. I often
felt depressed on Monday mornings but continued to take ecstasy because
it was so pleasant. This is classic addicted behavior. I can no longer
ignore the effect it has had on my health. My hair is thin and breaks
off easily. My skin is sallow, and I have perpetual acne. Due to the
grinding, my teeth have become crooked and sharp. Ecstasy is not worth
the misery you suffer later on.

If you have a problem and need advice, write to Ann Landers at P.O. Box
11562, Chicago, IL 60611-0562.