ECSTASY CRACKDOWN UNFAIRLY TARGETS RAVE CULTURE

Thank you for raising awareness of the RAVE Act with your July 23 editorial
("Lawmakers Target Raves, Not Illegal Drug Use").

While European nations increasingly favor harm reduction alternatives to
zero tolerance, Congress is seemingly intent on maximizing the harm
associated with drug use. The RAVE Act targets dance clubs that provide
life-saving harm reduction education, pill testing and "chill rooms" to
prevent ecstasy-related heat exhaustion.

In addition to promoting legislation that will ultimately sacrifice more
children at the altar of the failed drug war, our government is spending
millions on an advertising campaign designed to drum up political support
for the intergenerational culture war otherwise known as the war on some drugs.

Consider the Partnership for a Drug-Free America's sensationalist ecstasy
campaign. The ads designed for kids show apparent indifference among
ecstasy users when fellow ravers fall unconscious. These ads have zero
credibility. Whether they use drugs or not, most teenagers know ecstasy
produces strong feelings of empathy. The ads targeted at parents show a
grieving father whose daughter died of an alleged overdose. Parents will no
doubt relate to this one. The likely result of the Partnership for a
Drug-Free America campaign is kids continuing to use ecstasy and parents
continuing to support punitive drug laws.

A more practical way of reducing ecstasy-related harm is to allow dance
clubs to test for purity. So-called ecstasy overdoses are invariably the
result of deadly poisons sold as ecstasy. The ecstasy-variant known as PMA
that has been killing many youths is today's version of prohibition-era
bathtub gin. These easily preventable deaths are the bread and butter of
the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which spends millions capitalizing
on the drug war's collateral damage.

Whether we like it or not, drugs and drug laws are here to stay. It only
makes sense to try and minimize the harm associated with both.

Robert Sharpe Program Officer, Drug Policy Alliance

I wholeheartedly agree with the July 23 editorial, "Lawmakers Target Raves,
Not Illegal Drug Use."

As a DJ and long-time participant of the rave/club scene, I am deeply
disturbed by the federal and state governments' attempts to impose upon our
freedom to assemble, dance and enjoy music. Raving is deeply spiritual for
me, and it has affected my life in positive ways.

It certainly bothers me that older, more conservative people don't
recognize the value of our gatherings; but to go so far as to try to stop
them? That's downright criminal.

And the "there are drugs!" excuse is a weak one. There's more drug use per
capita at a rock concert than any rave. No, the rave crackdown is simply a
knee-jerk reaction by people who don't understand this aspect of modern
culture; they fear it.

Jazz music events faced the similar opposition at the turn of the century,
as did swing dancing and rock and roll. Despite the best efforts of
conservatives, each type of music survived and became important parts of
our culture. Raves and electronic music will do the same.

Adam Wiggins via e-mail