Publication title: Edmonton Journal
Pages: B1 / FRONT Section: City
Publication date: May 4, 2000
ProQuest document ID: 252780477
Copyright: Copyright Southam Publications Inc. May 4, 2000
Author: Loyie, Florence
Abstract:
[Gerry Predy] said the authority has health concerns not only about drug use at raves, but also about overcrowding and poor air ventilation - - ideal conditions for the spread of communicable diseases.
Rave defender Ron Tupas, a 25-year-old University of Alberta graduate student, told the committee he's been attending raves for seven years. While he doesn't dispute there is drug use, he says the music is the driving force behind raves.
Coun. Michael Phair, whose motion set in motion the review, said his idea of age limitations is not to restrict age groups, but to make sure there are guidelines to make raves safe for everybody.
Full text:
City officials will review raves and may recommend guidelines or bylaw changes to help ensure the safety and security of party goers.
Gary Dewhurst of HB Promotions said he was glad city council wants to include promoters and the volunteer group, RaveSafe, in the review.
The review will also include city police, the Capital Health Authority and the Edmonton Youth Council and will look at issues such as crowd sizes, venues, security, water supplies and age restrictions.
The city began to look seriously at regulations for the all- night dances after a rave in April at the Northlands Sportex, attended by close to 5,000 young people. Eight people were taken to hospital with what police called drug-related seizures.
Council's executive committee has heard from rave promoters, security consultants and ravers on the issue of regulations. On Wednesday, the committee heard from police and Dr. Gerry Predy of the Capital Health Authority.
Const. Rick Abbott told the committee the city should regulate conduct at raves, just as it does in bars and lounges.
Drug use, particularly the stimulant ecstasy, is widespread at raves, he said, which aren't regulated by any liquor laws or licensing bylaws.
"Raving exists because of ecstasy and ecstasy exists because of raving ... the two seem to go hand in hand," he said.
While police welcome regulations for raves, they wouldn't want them to be so restrictive they drive the events underground, where there would be no control at all, Const. Grant Jongjan told the committee.
Predy said the authority has health concerns not only about drug use at raves, but also about overcrowding and poor air ventilation - - ideal conditions for the spread of communicable diseases.
As for ecstasy -- a stimulant related to the drugs mescaline and amphetamine -- Predy said it induces what is described as a relaxed, euphoric-type high.
"One effect of ecstacy that people stress is it stimulates a feeling of closeness, a wanting to talk to other people, wanting to be with other people and that is why it is used in the context of a rave," he said.
"The drug also gives you a feeling of energy, and again in the context of a rave ... the drug gives that sense of energy to carry on dancing all night."
Rave defender Ron Tupas, a 25-year-old University of Alberta graduate student, told the committee he's been attending raves for seven years. While he doesn't dispute there is drug use, he says the music is the driving force behind raves.
Tupas said he doesn't think the city should include age restrictions in the review, because parents should be responsible for monitoring their children.
Coun. Michael Phair, whose motion set in motion the review, said his idea of age limitations is not to restrict age groups, but to make sure there are guidelines to make raves safe for everybody.
"What we have heard from everyone who spoke was there are some things we can do with raves," he said. "We heard practically no one say we should close them down. In fact, what we have heard is we want to find some ways to make them safe.
"The best way to achieve that is to have those directly connected be part of coming up with solutions and recommendations."
[Gerry Predy] said the authority has health concerns not only about drug use at raves, but also about overcrowding and poor air ventilation - - ideal conditions for the spread of communicable diseases.
Rave defender Ron Tupas, a 25-year-old University of Alberta graduate student, told the committee he's been attending raves for seven years. While he doesn't dispute there is drug use, he says the music is the driving force behind raves.
Coun. Michael Phair, whose motion set in motion the review, said his idea of age limitations is not to restrict age groups, but to make sure there are guidelines to make raves safe for everybody.
Full text:
City officials will review raves and may recommend guidelines or bylaw changes to help ensure the safety and security of party goers.
Gary Dewhurst of HB Promotions said he was glad city council wants to include promoters and the volunteer group, RaveSafe, in the review.
The review will also include city police, the Capital Health Authority and the Edmonton Youth Council and will look at issues such as crowd sizes, venues, security, water supplies and age restrictions.
The city began to look seriously at regulations for the all- night dances after a rave in April at the Northlands Sportex, attended by close to 5,000 young people. Eight people were taken to hospital with what police called drug-related seizures.
Council's executive committee has heard from rave promoters, security consultants and ravers on the issue of regulations. On Wednesday, the committee heard from police and Dr. Gerry Predy of the Capital Health Authority.
Const. Rick Abbott told the committee the city should regulate conduct at raves, just as it does in bars and lounges.
Drug use, particularly the stimulant ecstasy, is widespread at raves, he said, which aren't regulated by any liquor laws or licensing bylaws.
"Raving exists because of ecstasy and ecstasy exists because of raving ... the two seem to go hand in hand," he said.
While police welcome regulations for raves, they wouldn't want them to be so restrictive they drive the events underground, where there would be no control at all, Const. Grant Jongjan told the committee.
Predy said the authority has health concerns not only about drug use at raves, but also about overcrowding and poor air ventilation - - ideal conditions for the spread of communicable diseases.
As for ecstasy -- a stimulant related to the drugs mescaline and amphetamine -- Predy said it induces what is described as a relaxed, euphoric-type high.
"One effect of ecstacy that people stress is it stimulates a feeling of closeness, a wanting to talk to other people, wanting to be with other people and that is why it is used in the context of a rave," he said.
"The drug also gives you a feeling of energy, and again in the context of a rave ... the drug gives that sense of energy to carry on dancing all night."
Rave defender Ron Tupas, a 25-year-old University of Alberta graduate student, told the committee he's been attending raves for seven years. While he doesn't dispute there is drug use, he says the music is the driving force behind raves.
Tupas said he doesn't think the city should include age restrictions in the review, because parents should be responsible for monitoring their children.
Coun. Michael Phair, whose motion set in motion the review, said his idea of age limitations is not to restrict age groups, but to make sure there are guidelines to make raves safe for everybody.
"What we have heard from everyone who spoke was there are some things we can do with raves," he said. "We heard practically no one say we should close them down. In fact, what we have heard is we want to find some ways to make them safe.
"The best way to achieve that is to have those directly connected be part of coming up with solutions and recommendations."
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