Publication title: Edmonton Journal
Pages: A10
Publication date: Apr
4, 2000
Section: Opinion
Document type: Editorial
ProQuest document ID:
252725810
City councillors' concerns about young teens taking drugs at
raves are understandable. But using bylaws to try to control their behaviour is
a waste of time and effort.
If council members are worried that too many people are
packed into the halls that host these all-night dance parties, they should
impose and enforce fire regulations. If they think the dances are too loud and
disturb neighbouring residents, they can enforce noise bylaws.
But the big concern seems to be the drugs, like Ecstasy,
that are often a part of rave culture. And that, councillors should know, falls
far outside their jurisdiction.
While it is disturbing to hear that teens as young as 13 and
14 may be taking drugs at raves, the problem is not confined to dance parties.
Kids can get drugs on the street or in schools too, but no one is proposing we
shut down those trouble spots.
A number of teens were recently treated in hospital for drug
use after a rave. But they could just as easily have been at a house party, a
bush party, or, if they were older, at a bar. While Ecstasy is a popular drug
among ravers, it is certainly not the only illegal and potentially dangerous
drug that teens, or adults, consume.
Raves don't seem to be a particular hotbed of trouble or
violence. Surely police are called to more alcohol-fueled fights and
disturbances -- even the occasional stabbing -- outside large nightclubs than
outside all-night dance parties.
If drugs or underage drinking are serious problems at raves,
it is police who should be involved. While it's certainly entertaining to think
of Mayor Bill Smith doing the rave scene -- he's apparently checked out several
lately -- he and his fellow council members should leave criminal matters to
police. The larger question of whether or not teenagers should be attending
raves should be left up to parents.
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