ECSTASY KNOCK-OFF DESCRIBED AS TODAY'S BATHTUB GIN

Dear Ann Landers:This is in response to the letter from drug enforcement
administrator Donnie Marshall about ecstasy. The ecstasy knock-off known
as PMA that has been taking the lives of young North 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
thing about the children.

Robert Sharpe, MPA, program officer, the Lindesmith Centre-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."