RAVES ARE A PLACE FOR MUSIC, NOT FOR E, THE ECSTASY DRUG

Reporter Editor:

After reading the articles about raves, I was able to continue my
everyday routine without the common feeling I receive after reading
others relating to raves. Every other one I have read is one-sided,
obviously written by someone who hasn't done enough research.

I was pleased with the job done by Julie Davidow. I will admit that
most of the negative things in the articles are true, but I was glad
that sober partygoers and the true meaning of raves were recognized.

I've been raving for two years now and I am so shocked at how popular
raves have become. When I first started attending them, no one at my
school had even heard of them. It was a secret world that my friends
and I could go to. But now, it seems like raves are the hot new fad
that everyone's into.

But I don't think it's the raves that everyone's into; it's the drug,
Ecstasy. This upsets me because I cherish the rave scene. It's a place
where you can go and forget all your worries for the night and just
dance until you feel like your feet will break off.

The rave scene does have an irresistible vibe and the mixture of
electronic music won't let you sit down. The music possesses so much
energy it's astonishing. If raving were popular, there wouldn't be
such a drug problem. Raving is about the music. If everyone loved the
music, they wouldn't need the drugs.

But a lot of people experiment with E outside of raves. Raves are just
places that enhance the effects of E. I've been to several raves and
have been offered E. But what I find to be very sad is that I've been
offered E many more times outside of raves.

If I wanted to do E at a rave, I would get the E before the rave. Not
only because its safer to get it from someone you know, but because
it's easier. You can walk down the hallway at school and get E in five
minutes. If raves are drug-infested places, why is it that I can get a
pill of E much easier in my own high school?

To all the kids in school, rolling: You are very stupid. I look down
on people who do E, especially at raves. I hate that raves enhance the
effects of E. A lot of ravers look down on people who use E because
all the E-tards out there are sprawled out on the floor, taking up all
the dance space. They are clearly there for the drugs.

Every different youth culture seems to have a mind-altering substance
of choice. Why does Ecstasy have to fall under electronic music and
all-night parties? I admit that I've tried E. After I went to a rave
sober, I knew I would never do E again.

All you partygoers who are afraid to go to a rave sober, try it. If
you are a true raver and want to save the scene, you'll quit the
drugs. If you are that weak of a person, if you need your drugs, then
don't bring them to a rave. You are ruining the scene for many people
who go for all the right reasons.

Music is an important part of my life and many others. If the scene is
ruined, we all know who to thank. You have one mind and one body;
treat it with respect, whether you're raving or not.

Sonia Thives,
Vacaville