BALANCE MISSING FROM ARTICLE ON ECSTASY

Re Flying blind, Dec. 11.

The title of this article says it all. Not only does it refer to the
remarkable danger of this drug ecstasy, but also to the amazing
one-sided view of the facts, as described by the author, San Grewal.
So let's just use that old chestnut that the facts are not clear
about the long-term use of this designer drug.

What about the fact that there are 87 ecstasy-related deaths? The
author apparently chose not to do his research, like the very
thorough literature review of the dangers of this drug in the
Canadian Medical Association Journal, October, 2001.

The growing list of serious psychiatric and physical dangers of this
drug is enough to warn off any thoughtful adult or teenager. But no,
Grewal chose not to do his homework and instead quotes users who
clearly have their own very biased and blind view of this drug.

Surely, we want to make it clear to teens that this is not a benign
drug. Scooter says, "Everyone I know who's done E for years is
fine.'' Maybe Scooter and his friends are already too damaged to know
the difference. Why give him the last word? Surely, The Star could do
a more balanced "vision."

Dr. Michael Allan

Toronto