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John J. Coleman, who arrived in Boston three weeks ago, said about 78 percent of the DEA's resources go toward cocaine investigations and he predicted that will stay about the same...
Ecstasy was prohibited under the Controlled Substances Act of 1984, which allows the DEA to ban a drug temporarily when faced with a threat to public health. In March the ban was used against the so-called synthetic-heroin drug 3-methylfentanyl. As a result of MDMA's classification, which takes effect July 1, both manufacturers and sellers of the drug would be subject to fines of $125,000 and 15-year prison sentences. Possession would be a misdemeanor...
Today a small but vociferous group of psychiatrists, psychologists and scientists contend that MDMA has enormous therapeutic potential. Says James Bakalar of the Harvard Medical School: "I think the DEA's decision is precipitate. It's difficult to make a case that this is a serious threat to the nation's health or safety. They should wait until the research is in." MDMA boosters cite case histories to argue that Ecstasy can act as a catalyst in therapy by neutralizing emotional defenses. MDMA has been used to treat patients ranging from a painter with "artist's block" to abused children...
...DEA Deputy Administrator Gene Haislip says that research at the University of Chicago has found brain damage resulting from a single dose of MDA, a hallucinogenic nutmeg derivative related to Ecstasy; the two drugs "are believed to affect the brain in a similar manner," Haislip said. Federal officials say that drug-treatment programs around the country have reported "psychotic episodes" among MDMA users. Even the drug's most avid supporters concede that there should be some limits on MDMA. They hope to persuade the Government to place Ecstasy in a Schedule III classification, joining restricted drugs like codeine. Says Harvard...
...DEA has promised to expedite registration procedures so that legitimate research into the drug can continue, although therapists will no longer be allowed to give it to patients. Supporters of MDMA will be able to press their case at a series of hearings beginning next week in Los Angeles...