BLAME THE DEALERS

"The Agony of the Ecstasy" by Jeordie White [New Times, May 18] was a very
informative and well written article. However, who is really to blame for
the popular use of ecstasy among SLO youth and youth nationwide?

The rave community itself is like a family to most youth. Anyone of any
race, color, gender, or belief can be accepted, since the common cause for
getting together is the music.

Raves are peaceful, nonviolent, and the only scene left in which political
and social change can be brought to a platform, like the '60s hippie
movement. Instead, youth are too busy getting high.

Where are the parents of these ravers? Do they care where their teen was or
is? Or are they too busy chasing material wealth? When was the last time a
parent of a raver spent quality time with their teenager?

All the negative media hype on the rave scene only lures more teens into
attending - they want a taste of the forbidden fruit.

Last summer, five teens drove off a mountain in San Bernadino because they
were on E. [The rave they'd attended had had] an attendance of 5000 people.
After all the media hype on E, the next party thrown by the very same
promoters attracted 27,000 people, a record-braking event!

Who is really to blame? The parents, the government, the media, the
promoters, or the drug dealers? The only person to blame is the drug user.
He/she always has a choice.

Tito David Valdez Jr., California Men's Colony