RAVES SHOULD BE BANNED: TEEN

I am writing this letter about the issue of banning raves. After reading
Mr. Halsey-Brandt's letter (The Review, June 14) regarding the issue, I
feel really let down.

I am a teenager just finishing high school in Richmond.

I am, in most respects, your typical teenager-I like to socialize with my
friends, party late at night and in general just have a good time. I have
many friends who rave and many who don't as well; it's a choice. It's up to
you whether you choose to go and spend your time that way.

It's a safe, cool and fun way to meet people, enjoy loud music and dance
the night away. You control your life and whether you choose to take drugs
or not is up to you. Not everyone does drugs at raves.

Well, that may sound really nice and sure makes a great philosophy, but is
it really true?

From my experiences, I'd have to say no. To date, I have now 'lost' three
friends to the rave lifestyle. People who I have grown up with, who I
thought I knew inside and out, who have always said that they would never
do drugs are now out every weekend, sometimes both nights of the weekend,
doing ecstasy and staying out until 10 o'clock the next morning. They then
sleep the day away and then do it all over again.

These are people who shunned the 'potheads' out there right up until a
couple of months ago and now they are doing ecstasy. The ecstasy is not
only 'just E' either-they've had stories of it being laced with any number
of things, including hard drugs like heroin.

We now have a huge population of the city's youth out there going to
legalized raves, getting into drugs such as these and the city doesn't
entertain the idea of banning them?

Sure, if raves are banned, there will most definitely be the underground
raves held. They will still happen, only this time, it will be a crime.
People can get arrested and the fear of jail and a criminal record will
help ward off the ever-growing population of ravers out there and will also
help reduce the amount of teenagers getting into drugs.

Shouldn't that be our goal?

Kim Stokes, Richmond - via e-mail