AS USUAL we can count on our elected leaders to act mindlessly in the
face of publicity. Rohypnol, the so-called date-rape drug, is rarely
used as such. But for a few widely publicized cases, it would remain
unknown. Now, thanks to talks of banning it, we will create another
"drug menace."

Surely if our stalwart leaders were interested in solving a problem,
they should have first checked to see if there is one. Did a single
one of them bother to inquire as to whether rohypnol was in common use
as a date-rape drug? I doubt it, for if they had the cry would be
about alcohol - not rohypnol.

Did a single one of them bother to do any research at all? The answer
is undoubtedly no. Otherwise they surely would have seen references to
"The Consumer's Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs" (Edward
M.Brecher, 1972). The chapter, "How to start a nationwide drug menace"
would have had to give them pause (had it been found).

Pierre Honeyman

(We still think the drug has serious problems and should be
restricted.)