Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 18:23:24 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <200108042223.SAA15623@mattababy.mit.edu>
From: belmonte@mit.edu (Matthew Belmonte)
To: john_kerry@kerry.senate.gov
Subject: oppose S.1208

Dear Senator Kerry

I wish to express my opposition to S.1208, the `Ecstasy Prevention Act of 2001.'
We should be treating drug abuse as a public health problem; this bill attempts
to treat it as a law enforcement problem.  The bulk of the money that it would
allocate, $15 million, would be directed towards `anti-Ecstasy law enforcement
initiatives.'

I am particularly troubled by Section 3 of this bill, which would amend the
Public Health Service Act so as to give priority in PHS grants to `communities
that have taken measures to combat club drug use, including passing ordinances
restricting rave clubs.'  Such measures do not attack drug use.  Rather, they
attack youth culture.  This misguided strategy will only alienate more people,
especially young people, from government and law enforcement.

I hope that you'll oppose S.1208.