READERS SHARE VIEWS ON RAVES, ECSTASY DRUG

DEAR ANN This is in response to the letter about ecstasy from Donnie
Marshall, Drug Enforcement Agency administrator. 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, program officer, Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation,
Washington, D.C.

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

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.

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 ecstasy experience, and I'm
in therapy. I was almost raped and have lost my short-term memory.

SYDNEY 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 tell
you whether the pills contain something dangerous.

FORT 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 at 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 people without fear of legal reprisal.

NEW YORK I used ecstasy for five years, but only on weekends. I often felt
depressed Monday mornings but continued to take ecstasy because it was so
pleasant. 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. Ecstasy is not worth the misery you suffer later on.