E for Ecstasy by Nicholas Saunders
Appendix 1: Reference Section

92 Media Seminar held on 17th November in London 1992 as part of European Drug Prevention Week

The seminar was presented to "a thousand opinion formers to promote a coordinated long-term drug prevention campaign for Europe". [I asked to attend but was refused.]

The host was Emma Freud who stated that the object was to use the media to form attitudes in young people. She said the media has portrayed Ecstasy in a way that has created a wave of interest, and that there may be an argument for suppressing information. Nick Ross replied that the media does censure a great deal, but in the case of Ecstasy "It was all the rave, and the rage, before we knew about it". He added that politicians must not look to the media to manipulate society. Janet Street-Porter was then asked if she agreed, and replied: "Yes, I certainly don't think it's the role of the BBC to put across PR messages on behalf of the government. I think it is the job of Nick and myself to illuminate people"

The final words were an appeal from a bishop: "If the government says that Ecstasy is always dangerous, if the church says that it is sinful and doctors say that in many cases it is fatal, then we might change the situation."