RAVE ON!

One generation's new trend has always upset some members of
generations before it.

Long before rock 'n' roll caused consternation among parents in the
1950s, their grandparents thought "a glimpse of stocking was something
shocking" in the early 1900s.

In the 1920s, outrage over the "black bottom" and the Charleston made
misgivings about the Twist in the 1960s look tame.

Now we have "raves" where youngsters go to party all night -- and
sometimes way into the early morning.

But the danger here is that drug use -- speed and hallucinogens,
particularly the designer drug ecstasy -- has become widespread.

In Toronto, there have already been a reported 13 drug-related deaths
at raves and it seems only a matter of time before tragedy occurs in
our city or province.

It's not only the threat of drugs at raves that causes our community
uneasiness. It's that there are seeming seemingly no -- or few --
other safety precautions taken.

Fire hazards rank close to the top of the list, as does
over-crowding.

In any panic, the potential for youngsters being severely injured or
crushed to death looms large. Unscrupulous promoters are oblivious or
uncaring to these dangers.

That a weekend rave attended by 1,000 revellers was held in a building
with only two exits is frightening.

It shouldn't only scare parents, it should scare young rave
enthusiasts themselves.

So it is heartening to see that both the city and province are
planning to draw up bylaws or legislation to implement some control
and safety measures at rave facilities. This may even be accomplished
by simply updating existing rules that cover various entertainment
events.

It's also heartening to see responsible youngsters who attend these
functions support licensing procedures.

The authorities aren't being viewed as spoilsports and youngsters
aren't being censured for having their own kind of fun.

We've come a long way from the days of harsh puritanical morality, to
sensibly building bridges between generations.