UNDERCOVER COPS NAB 10 RAVERS

'Loads Of Drugs' At Dance Attended By 3,500

A wide variety of drugs was seized by undercover officers mingling with a
rave crowd at an east-end night club.

Although only 10 people were arrested on 26 drug-related charges -- two of
them 16-year-olds -- Toronto Police said they would have nabbed a lot more
if they'd had the manpower.

About 3,500 people attended the rave.

Police seized marijuana, Ecstasy, katamine and crystal meth during their
undercover operation at the all-ages rave at The Docks late Saturday and
yesterday.

In a similar operation last October, police issued 30 drug-related charges
against 11 people.

"We've had these overdoses," said Det. Michael McGivern of 51 Division. "We
have to do some enforcement. We could use a lot more of it, in my opinion.

"There's loads and loads of drugs at these things," he said.

From 1998 to 200, at least 10 people died of Ecstasy overdoses in southern
Ontario.

Ecstasy users often become dehydrated and bottles of water are usually sold
at astronomical prices, police have found.

A medical study published last year showed ecstasy --
methylenedioxymethamphetamine -- reduces serotonin in the brain, and could
lead to severe psychological problems, including suicidal urges, and
behavioural problems similar to drug withdrawal.

The study said many who use Ecstasy consider it a love drug with a mild
high and no side effects. It floods the brain with artificial serotonin
causing the user to feel energized and lowering social shyness.

"Maybe the majority of (kids) do dance, but there are a lot of drugs
there," McGivern said of raves. "When you go to these things, everybody
seems real happy, it's almost like the '60s hippie days. There's almost no
violence at these things.

He said police plan to continue attending large raves.

"We're paying special attention because we've had 14- and 15-year-olds
overdosing and dying," he said.