RAVE AWARENESS DIRECTED AT PARENTS

\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. 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
Halton Police Services Board Chair Jack Brewer.

Rather than wring their hands helplessly over the issue, however, Halton
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 Nosal.

Aimed at parents

The issue of raves was front and centre at a recent police services 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. Robinson's commitment to
bring solutions to a national level received full backing from the board.

"You'll get our complete support," said Brewer, who plans to be part of a
board contingent attending a Toronto rave.

Halton 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 Nosal, the communication plan aimed at both youths and parents
involves working closely with area media, providing links on the health
department Web site with appropriate information, working with local
agencies on everything from drugs to peer pressure, holding discussions
with appropriate politicians and much more. Anyone with questions about
raves can call 905-825-6060, ext. 7490.