Who: NOISEmaker caligrl, 15 Where? California What? DanceSafe is a nonprofit organization that tests ecstasy pills for users to make sure the pills contain pure ecstasy and not other fatal drugs. A while back, YOUTH NOISE featured a Face Off on this controversial issue and organization. The debate got heated and an actual DanceSafe volunteer surfaced on the boards and offered a new perspective on the DanceSafe debate. Check it out!

	GIMMIE 5:

1. So, what's the deal with DanceSafe and ecstasy?
I strongly encourage all of you to go to the DanceSafe website (go to: www.dancesafe.org), it will help you be more informed as to what, exactly, we do. An important thing to know is that DanceSafe does not only test pills sold as ecstasy -- we also provide condoms, earplugs and unbiased, fact-based drug information cards. Our philosophy is Harm Reduction -- we realize that people are going to do risky things (like take drugs), so we aim to help them reduce the harms associated with their choices.

2. What do you have to say to all the critics who think DanceSafe is promoting drug use?
DanceSafe does not promote drug use. A person who gives us their pill to test has already thought about using the drug -- it's not as if we suggested they to use it. One of our most important policies is that of neither condemning NOR condoning drug use. We are a non-judgmental organization.

3. What happens after you test the pill?
Even if we test someone's pill and the result comes back positive for an ecstasy-like substance, we don't say it's safe for them to take. In fact, we read and show them a sign that says something like "Your pill produced a positive result for an ecstasy-like substance (MDMA, MDE, or MDA). This does not mean your pill is pure (our test does not indicate purity -- just presence of the substance). This does not mean your pill is safe." People often ask us, after their pill has tested positive for an ecstasy-like substance, "Should I take it?" and we always tell them that is a decision we cannot make for them -- they have to make it on their own.

4. Why doesn't DanceSafe focus on trying to eliminate drug use altogether?
We, as a society, will never eliminate all drug use. There's no way. Take smoking, for example. Even though it's now regulated and the dangers of it are out in the open, even advertised on television, millions of people still smoke. Or, take cars and seatbelts. Even though there is a risk of death when using a car, people still use cars all the time. Seatbelts are there to lessen the risk, but they cannot completely eliminate the risk.

5. Why doesn't DanceSafe just keep the pills they test?
That's not what we do, and we could get in a LOT of legal trouble for doing it. DanceSafe is not immune to drug possession laws. Plus, our purpose is not to prevent people from taking drugs.

--By Erica "ericaNOISE" Fullington

		• Wanna join the DanceSafe Debate? Sound off on the boards. • Is DanceSafe saving lives or promoting illegal drug use? Check out Stephanie and Nicole as they Face Off. • Ecstasy and other 'club drug' usage are on the rise. Get the facts on substance abuse in Got Issues?