University of Virginia Library

Amphetamines: 'Low Karma, Totalitarian'

With the Sisyphean ordeal of
finals approaching in a swirl of
amphetamines, now seems a good
time to take a hard look at the
hazards of speed.

The Do-It-Now Foundation, a
nonprofit, self-owned corporation
started by former speed freaks on
the West Coast, is spreading a
message of concern. The campaign
cames on heavy but not coercive.

A spokesman for radio station
WUVA, which is joining with
Do-It-Now to publicize the draw
backs of speed and raise money for
a larger effort, yesterday
announced details of the project as
it begins locally.

Station Manager Randy Spiers
emphasized that this does not
represent something "handed down
from above." Rather, the aim is for
self-help through better
information. Nor, he says need
anyone fear that the money raising
part is just another rip-off.

The idea runs like this: WUVA
acts as agent for Do-It-Now in
making available "First Vibration,"
an LP album containing first-rate
cuts contributed by project
supporters as diverse as the late
Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, the late
Jimi Hendrix, Buffalo Springfield,
Donovan, Canned Heat, Ravi
Shankar and others.

A sort of dope-rock anthology,
the recording is available for $3.
Spiers added "none of the music
has been pirated." Not only does
the LP open the door to non-rip-off
fund raising, it furthers the project
both artistically and instructively
by shedding light where it should
be.

"First Vibration" comes
complete with a not unhelpful
underground tabloid featuring
statements by Tim Leary, Allen
Ginsberg, Donovan, and others.

Ginsberg: "Speed was originally
invented by the Germans for use by
pilots in bombing England, so it's
originally a kind of totalitarian
synthetic..."

Leary: "Speed will let you off in
Hell."

Speed means low karma in its
fullest sense when mainlined, and
this mode of use is the primary
target of Do-It-Now, WUVA is
giving extensive air time to the
project, Spiers added.

"First Vibration" may be
ordered by sending $3 to

The Do-It-Now Foundation

PO Box 77-X

Newcomb Hall P.O.

C'ville 22903