A VIEW FROM RHODE ISLAND

Thank you for your reasoned editorial, "A long, tough week in the land of
the free" (June 12).

It's clear that the Drug Enforcement Administration is using the RAVE Act
to target political groups that they don't like. Drug use occurs every day
at concerts and other events around the country, but the DEA has yet to
explain why they are justified in using the law to only target events that
advocate for changes in drug policy.

It is a travesty of justice that American taxpayers' money is being used to
stifle free speech and political activity. This is not to mention the fact
that the RAVE Act does nothing to reduce the harms caused by substance
abuse; it instead exacerbates them by making event
organizers negligent for adopting proven harm reduction techniques.

Tom Angell

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Warwick, R.I.