CLAIMS THAT ECSTASY IS NOT HARMFUL SPARK ROW

LONDON: The dangers of taking Ecstasy have been exaggerated and previous
studies on the drug favoured by young ravers have been seriously flawed,
two British psychologists and a colleague from United States say in an
article published yesterday.

But the father of a British girl who died after taking the drug described
their article, published in the Psychologist, the journal of the British
Psychological Society, as "despicable".

Jon Cole and Harry Sumnall, both of Liverpool University, and Charles Grob,
a director at the Harbour-UCLA Medical Centre in California, said studies
of Ecstasy users were riddled with error, and researchers were biased.

They pointed out that psychological problems tended to begin in adolescence
anyway, Ecstasy users invariably took other drugs as well, and some of the
symptoms reported mirrored those caused by staying awake all night and dancing.

The article said the reported adverse effects of Ecstasy could even be
imaginary, owing to the belief the drug caused long-term harm.

Around 10% of young British adults aged 15 to 29 are thought to have used
Ecstasy, and around 90% of those regularly going to raves or nightclubs are
thought to use it.

Between 1993 and 1997, 72 deaths in Britain were attributed to Ecstasy use.

Other Ecstasy experts writing in the magazine were sceptical.

Michael Morgan, senior lecturer in experimental psychology at the
University of Sussex, Brighton, said he had found "overwhelming evidence"
that regular Ecstasy use causes impulsive behaviour and impaired verbal
memory. - dpa