Pubdate: Fri, 14 Dec 2001
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Dr. Michael Allan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)

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
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