Date: Fri, 13 Aug 1999 11:44:17 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <199908131544.LAA29909@melbourne-city-street.MIT.EDU>
From: belmonte@MIT.EDU (Matthew Belmonte)
To: john_kerry@kerry.senate.gov (John Kerry)
Subject: oppose the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act
Cc: alert-feedback@drcnet.org

Dear Senator Kerry

The Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act being championed in the Senate by
Orrin Hatch and Dianne Feinstein would set a dangerous precedent by making
felonies of certain forms of speech, including serious journalism.  The bill
would make it a felony even to place links on the Web to information on drug
paraphernalia.  I'm concerned that such a broad restriction would interfere
with many positive uses of the web.  For instance, I've just been reading an
article on the public health benefits of syringe exchange programs.  Under the
proposed legislation, the author of that article could be fined and imprisoned
for up to three years.

The goal of reducing the harm caused by drug abuse is a noble one.
Unfortunately, Senators Hatch and Feinstein have lost sight of the fact that
open and frank discussion is our best tool in the effort to avert the abuse of
drugs.  I hope that you'll oppose the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act
and its short-sighted assault on the First Amendment.