Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann Dear Friends of Sasha and Ann You may or may not know that the Drug Enforcement Agency along with various other Federal, State and local agency representatives showed up unannounced with search warrants, at Sasha and Ann's home in Lafayette, California on October 27, 1994. There were approximately thirty persons in the raiding party along with eight vehicles that included a fire engine and marked police cars. The stunned Shulgins were informed that this was not a criminal action, but rather an "administrative investigation" to determine if Sasha was in regulatory compliance with the many stipulations of his DEA license that allows him to be in posession of, and to work with, Schedule I substances. Administrative and environmental infractions were found; as can be easily imagined in a former basement, now laboratory, that is well known for its pet spiders as for its cornucopia of important research, and its seemingly unending creation of new molecular structures. And it's also fair to say that housekeeping is not one of Sasha's big priorities.

The DEA has now made its findings and taken the following action: 1) To terminate Sasha's license that allows him to work with Schedule I materials. 2) To fine him $25,000.00. The termination of the license seems "justifiable", given the rather long list of record keeping and administrative infractions. What is puzzling, however, is that in over 15 years of being licensed two prior, that is unannounced and scheduled, surveys and reviews of the very same lab and records produced no adverse comment. This, of course, was before the publication of PIHKAL.

The fine is attributed to a collection of unsolicited "anonymous drug samples" that people had sent to Sasha with the hope that he might test them sometime. There are those who think that sucha testing program is beneficial. The DEA does not, and expressly forbids a licensee from doing so. The allowable fine is $25,000.00 per sample. Sasha and Ann have paid the fine, and have paid out another $15,000.00 in legal and related expenses. This $40,000.00 has come out of their retirement funds at very near the time that they are needed. Over Sasha's initial protest, a trust account has been set up, and a mail box rented. You may send your contributions to:

Alexander T. Shulgin Trust
Box 322
343 Soquel Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062

If you would like your contribution to be anonymous please say so and the trustee will honor your request. All other contributors will be acknowledged by returned mail and placed on a list to be given to Sasha and Ann. The trust will be maintained for one year, and monthly or periodic contributions are more than welcome.

You are requested to circulate and distribute this notice.

elc@netcom.com, trustee