ECSTASY NOT "SAFE" DRUG, BUT NOT THAT MENACING

With the recent media hoopla about "Ecstasy," we should not be surprised to
see an increase in its use, in spite of increased law enforcement efforts to
suppress it, or the multitude of inaccurate scare stories disseminated
through the press.

Claims that Ecstasy causes "holes in the brain" and "kids are going to start
dropping dead" are both inaccurate and irresponsible. Like all other drugs,
including aspirin, Ecstasy is not a "safe" drug. However, when compared with
alcohol, nicotine or "ice," it is not as menacing as some drug warriors
would have us believe.

Given the fact that Ecstasy is here, and that young people are using it, we
should make every effort to help them avoid dangerous usage, such as mixing
it with alcohol or any other toxic drug, becoming dehydrated and ingesting
adulterated forms of the substance, which are commonly found in the black
market of drugs.

My best advice to those thinking about trying Ecstasy is:

Don't do it.

If you are determined to do it, get on a computer and visit the very
informative Web site www.dancesafe.org, which was established for the very
purpose of helping young people avoid the very real hazards of this popular
drug.

Donald M. Topping President Drug Policy Forum of Hawai`i