CAMPING OR CAROUSING?

Rainbow Farms Campground" - it sounds so peaceful and harmless. But,
according to Cass County law enforcement authorities, there is nothing
harmless about the Vandalia-area campground.

Police describe the campground as a haven for organized drug festivals.
Furthermore, police say that organizers routinely sought out the early
teen-age crowd through organized advertising campaigns by placing fliers in
schools and offering free admission to kids under 15.

The festivals were billed under such audacious names as "Hemp Fest" and
"Roach Roast," with the parties even earning the campground a ranking as a
leading "stoner spot" in a magazine, police say. Drugs allegedly for sale
at the events included marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines.

Authorities say they are cleaning up the campground with the arrest of five
suspected drug dealers. More arrests could follow. Authorities are also
going after campground owners through a civil lawsuits and have threatened
to seize the property.

The account told by police, if true, is shocking on several levels. First,
it is disturbing enough to hear of 14- and 15-year-olds taking part in
these kinds of events. More amazing is the alleged brazenness of organizers.

A store on the campground's property, "The Joint," probably served police a
clue that toothbrushes and firewood perhaps weren't the only items for sale
on the grounds.

The store's manager vigorously denied that the campground was a front for a
drug operation. "Our security is hired here to throw out people selling
drugs, and they're very good at what they do," he said. All will have their
day in court to explain.

If there is a lesson, it is for Southwest Michigan parents who allow their
young teens to go camping without adult supervision. Some kids will
experiment with drugs, and there will always be people willing to make it
easy - some who are more bold then others.

(An opinion of The Herald-Palladium editorial board)