Pubdate: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 Source: Sacramento Bee (CA) Copyright: 2002 The Sacramento Bee Contact: http://www.sacbee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/376 Author: Ed Fletcher, Bee Capitol Bureau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) US CA: BILL TARGETS DRUG USE AT RAVE PARTIES Dance Promoters Would Be Required To Sign A Pledge Not To Ignore Such Activity. If you're under your folks' roof and want to party, don't tell your parents you're going to a rave. The high-energy dance events, with laser light shows, pulsating beats and tons of teens, have earned a reputation as being havens for rampant drug use. Supporters of legislation that would make promoters of large rave parties put in writing a pledge not to ignore drug use say raves have earned their dubious reputation for good reason. "There is a high incidence of illegal drug activity at these events," said John Lovell, the legislative advocate for the primary sponsor of the bill, the California Narcotics Officers Association. Making matters worse, said Lovell, "many promoters of rave events turn a blind eye to the extent of drug use going on." Law enforcement officials say that while other "club drugs" are present, Ecstasy is the drug of choice at rave parties. "Ecstasy is to raves what rocket fuel is to the space shuttle: Neither gets off the ground without it. Its abuse by ravers cannot be understated," wrote retired Sgt. James P. Mock in material being distributed by the bill's author, Assemblywoman Sally Havice, D-Cerritos. In addition to making promoters of large rave events say in writing that they won't condone or ignore drug use or sales, the bill, AB 1941, requires that the promoter present evidence that he has enough knowledge of illicit drugs so he can identify the drugs. The bill also requires that the local permitting authority let the police know about a proposed rave event. There is no formal opposition, and the bill has not received any "no" votes as it heads to the Assembly floor, but rave promoters contacted by The Bee say they wish the well-intentioned lawmakers would cool their heels. "I don't think raves are a problem," said DJ Pat, an area disc jockey and party promoter. "I think kids on drugs is a problem." DJ Pat -- whose real name is Patrick Ibbetson -- said the state should focus on the problem without attacking raves. "There is nothing inherently dangerous about an electric dance event," said Andy W, part-time DJ, raver and Bay Area rave organizer. Both men acknowledge that drug use occurs at some rave events. Though DJ Pat admits some people got into the rave scene to sell drugs, he said drugs aren't used or sold at all raves. DJ Pat says there were no problems at the dance party he hosted last week at the old Sacramento Army Depot. Andy W -- Andy Wyszkowski away from the music scene -- asks why the bill isolates raves and does not address concerts or other events where drugs are just as likely to be used. Nick Finn, chairman of the legislative action committee for the San Francisco Late Night Coalition, said the bill illustrates the larger issue of police seeking to link music with criminal behavior, and says raves and electronic music are being picked on. "It's sort of what rock 'n' roll went though," Finn said. Havice and Lovell say the bill isolating a specific problem isn't trying to do away with raves but rather to rein in irresponsible promoters by giving local permitting authorities more information. The bill creates no new crimes, nor does it increase punishments. The focus is on raves because of the high number of minors attending rave events and the rampant drug use, say supporters of the legislation. Government-sanctioned raves often have no alcohol sales and thus can admit minors. Media coverage of rave events has also fueled the drive to curb drug use at raves. "Raves are ... on the hot seat now," Andy W said. But not always for good reason, DJ Pat said. DJ Pat points out that while nearly every news report on Ecstasy mentions its popularity at raves, when an area youth died from Ecstasy use late last month, the fact that Nicole Ann Crowder, 17, died at a private party -- not a rave -- was almost lost. The fact that the teenager died at a house party illustrates another point made by the rave promoters. They say public parties where the promoter has asked for a permit are less likely to be dangerous than an underground party. Getting an event permit in Sacramento and much of the Bay Area already includes notifying the police and hiring private security guards. The same is not true for raves held at rural locations, in abandoned warehouses or after hours at established locations. And for every city-sanctioned rave, there are plenty of smaller events. "(True) raves are supposed to be underground, word of mouth," DJ Pat said. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager