ECSTASY 'COMMERCIAL'

Pamphlet A Guide To Rave Drug Use

Drug information handed out at raves promotes Ecstasy use, lawyers charged
at a coroner's inquest yesterday.

A pamphlet entitled Shopping Tips for E Quality, written by registered nurse
Kim Stanford, co-founder of the Toronto Raver Information Project (TRIP),
warns Ecstasy may contain impurities such as heroin and cocaine and urges
users to buy from a "reliable supplier."

It also encourages users to ask dealers what's in the tablet besides
Ecstasy, what the drug's specific effects are, and to take a half dose "if
you're doing a new E."

"It's possible this may be an invitation to one person to investigate using
drugs," said City of Toronto lawyer Robert Baldwin, during cross-examination
of Stanford.

The inquest is investigating last October's Ecstasy-related death of Allen
Ho, 20, who collapsed at a rave in an underground parking garage.

"I have no evidence that this pamphlet encouraged one individual," said
Stanford, adding TRIP distributes information at raves without condoning
drug use.

"It may not be foolproof. There's still risk. To follow this kind of advice
may reduce the risk," she said. "This is certainly not ideal, but it's a
step in the right direction."

Another pamphlet -- distributed by TRIP but written by a San Francisco
clinic -- talks about Ecstasy as a "multi-faceted jewel" that can lead to
"an intense, energetic, spiritual high or lead to warm, loving relaxation."
It also warns of "those annoying little side-effects."

Coroner's counsel Paul McDermott called the pamphlet "a commercial" for
Ecstasy.

But Stanford said a balanced message, acknowledging the euphoric feelings
users seek from Ecstasy as well as its harmful side-effects, is best for
those who have "turned their ears off" to traditional anti-drug warnings.