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 - --- MAP posted-by: Josh