PARTIES WITH DRUG USE ARE IN NO WAY SAFE

To the Editor:

Re "Tribes" (June 9): In the past few weeks, children of two families in my
acquaintance have died by their own hands. Both of the victims were bright
young men barely out of their teens, and in each case hallucinogenic drugs
contributed to the suicide.

I read in your article the statement that underground tribal parties are
seen as "a safe and welcoming environment" where, oh by the way, many
attendees consume hallucinogens. The article blithely dismissed this
conduct, terming it something "kids do when they get together."

This left me saddened and dismayed. You should realize - and your young
adult readers need to know - that an environment that contains psychoactive
drugs is in no way safe; it is potentially lethal.

John T. Matteson, Kingsbridge, the Bronx