I FOUND "Agony and Ecstasy" (Editorial comment, issue 356) revolting in the
extreme. The opinion concerning drugs in general and Ecstasy in particular
is clear, but never explained. A reference to "the evils of drugs" and
another stating that "the misnomer Ecstasy causes agony and death" are
supposed to suffice.

Most users of Ecstasy are alive and well, and would profoundly disagree
with your statements. It is disgraceful to argue: "The only way to remove
Ecstasy from our cities is to clear it street by street." These are our
streets and cities, too. Such an attitude reflects intolerance and
self-righteousness.

I am 48 years old. For more than 30 years I have regularly consumed a
variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. I have been working as a
psychotherapist for 15 years, and as a systems engineer for ten. I have
four children and am in good health.

Rene M Finkler
Tokyo, Japan