LETTERS: DRUG EVIDENCE ON FILE

To the Editor:

As the senior research scientist responsible for therapeutic trials of
hallucinogens at National Institutes of Health, I was intrigued by the
renewed interest in studying hallucinogens as treatments for mental
disorders ("Scientists Test Hallucinogens for Mental Ills," March 13).

While the article points to the need for more research, let us not neglect
the scientific literature that came from earlier research. Dr. Janet
Woodcock of the Food and Drug Administration is on target calling for the
use of the same rigorous medical and scientific standards as are required
for other unapproved drugs.

Hopefully, this time the debate will rely on empirical evidence rather than
on the polarized views of two camps: believers and nonbelievers. If this
occurred, Timothy Leary, one of our great false prophets, would be very
disappointed.

Dr. Jerome Levine
Chappaqua, N.Y