ECSTASY: IS IT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE? VIEWS VARY

Dear Ann Landers: This is in response to the letter from DEA administrator
Donnie Marshall about ecstasy. The ecstasy knock-off 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 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. 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 frisks 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: 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.

Bloomfield Hills, Mich.: While the letter about ecstasy was valid, I would
like to point out that glowsticks are not a dependable sign of ecstasy use.
Glowsticks are very popular dance props with teenagers who listen to
techno, electronic or rave music.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.: A lot of ravers use drugs, but it is not fair to
label all of us as drug users. I am 17 and go to raves every Saturday, and
I don't use drugs. Ecstasy is available in lots of places, including rock
concerts and college parties. If I want ecstasy, I don't have to go to a
rave to get it.

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 arrested 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. 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.