Pubdate: Mon, 13 Aug 2001
Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 Burlington Post
Contact:  http://www.burlingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1528
Author: Howard Mozel

POLICE SAY RAVES ARE NOT JUST A TORONTO PROBLEM

While raves are not a local policing problem, strictly speaking, the fact 
that area youth attend all-night dance parties in other jurisdictions 
remains of deep concern to Halton's police chief.

"They're our kids and we don't want to lose any of them," said Ean Algar.

A recent report by Dr. Robert Nosal, Halton's Medical Officer of Health, 
justifies Algar's fears by pointing out the potential dangers of raves 
which range from crowd control to fire hazards. Dr. Nosal concedes that 
while not all attendees take drugs to enhance the rave experience, other 
pitfalls they may encounter include dehydration and the lack of water, 
inadequate ventilation, gang related violence and the potential for 
physical and sexual assault.

"This is a problem that's under the surface in most communities," said 
Services Board chair Jack Brewer.

Rather than wring their hands helplessly over the issue, however, Halton 
Regional Police and the Health Department, plus both local school boards, 
are partnering to implement a strategy to deal with raves.

"As a community we need to use a series of approaches to target youth and 
the adults that work with youth," said Dr. Nosal.

The issue of raves was front and centre at Thursday's Halton Regional 
Police Service Board meeting where member Donald Robinson said that, while 
the problem will be hard to deal with, doing nothing is not an option.

"I think that's burying your head in the sand," said Robinson, who 
maintains that a proactive approach is a must.

To that end, Robinson will soon be attending the Saskatoon conference of 
the Canadian Police Boards Association (of which he's a member) where he 
plans to share Halton's unique approach to raves - the first part which is 
an education campaign aimed especially at parents.

"They should know what's going on," he said.

Added Services Board member John Day: "It's all about public education. If 
we're going to do it, let's do it."

Robinson's commitment to bring solutions to a national level received full 
backing from the Services Board.

"You'll get our complete support," said Brewer, who plans to be part of a 
Board contingent attending a Toronto rave this summer. "We're trying to 
lead the way and be proactive."

Halton Regional Police Supt. Dan Okuloski agreed wholeheartedly with 
Robinson and said that while there has been an emphasis on enforcement and 
drugs, a comprehensive "community mobilization" strategy is needed.

According to Dr. Nosal, the communication plan aimed at both youth and 
parents involves working closely with area media, providing links on the 
Health Department website with appropriate information, working with local 
agencies on everything from drugs to peer pressure, holding discussions 
with appropriate politicians and much more.

Already available is a flyer entitled "Do Your Kids Rave?" Aimed at adults 
- - but containing valuable information for their children - this covers 
safety questions parents can ask their kids about social events and offers 
suggestions such as encouraging them to drink plenty of water and to stay 
away from drugs.

Anyone with questions about raves can contact the Health Department at 
825-6060 ext. 7490.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom