READERS SHARE THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THE DRUG ECSTASY

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

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.

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.

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 teen-agers
who listen to techno, electronic or rave music.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.: It is not fair to label all ravers 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.

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.

Ann Landers' column is distributed by Creators Syndicate.