"ECSTASY" DEATH

I am shocked and saddened by the needless death of 14-year-old Irma
Perez, and I hope the lesson of this tragedy will not be lost in a
hysterical rush to judgement. It is highly likely that the pill Irma
took was something other than MDMA; indeed, your page 6 story,
"Ecstasy -- just what is this stuff?" quotes DanceSafe estimates that
30-50% of the "ecstasy" pills out there contain other, potentially
more dangerous, substances.

MDMA itself is a relatively safe drug, and its effects are so profound
that it was widely considered a "penicillin for the soul" by the
hundreds of therapists who used it in clinical practice until its
politically-motivated ban in 1986. Indeed, the DEA has recently
granted permission to the Multidisciplinary Association for
Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) to proceed with an FDA-approved study of
MDMA as a treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Adulterated "ecstasy" pills such as the one that most likely killed
Irma Perez are a direct consequence of prohibition, as is the problem
of 20-year-olds selling drugs to 14-year olds. Only by
decriminalizing and regulating such substances can we begin to keep
them out of the hands of kids. And, if our kids behave like teenagers
and use them anyway, without our knowledge and approval, we can at
least be assured that the pill they pop probably won't kill them.

Let's keep our eyes on the prize, protect our kids, and help prevent
further tragedies by ending the failed war on drugs.

Jonathan Steigman

Menlo Park