ECSTASY DEATHS SPARK INQUEST

Ontario's chief coroner is launching an inquest into one of nine
ecstasy-related deaths last year. The decision comes after the number of
deaths associated with the rave drug, ecstasy, jumped dramatically in 1999.
There were no ecstasy-related deaths reported in 1997 and only one reported
in 1998.

But last year in southern Ontario, nine men between 20 and 30 years old
died after taking the drug.

The inquest, expected in the spring, will shine the public spotlight on
raves and the culture that has sprung up around the all-night dance
parties. In doing so, it will undoubtedly increase public awareness about
rave culture and the drugs that have become synonymous with it.

But some fear this could also spark an outcry, driving raves underground
and making some safety measures like in-house paramedics and the presence
of police impossible.

Dr. Bonita Porter, deputy chief coroner of inquests, said the office will
announce which of the nine deaths will be examined in the next few days.
But no matter what the case, Porter said, the inquest will examine what
ecstasy is, the possible dangers of the drug, how raves are organized, and
what safety precautions are taken at raves.

"(Raves) don't usually have alcohol and that offers some reassurance to
parents, but they may not realize what there is there," she said. "We need
to make the public aware of what these parties are about."

Since raves emerged in the late 1980s, they have been accompanied by a set
of drugs, clothing, music and hippy-like philosophical attitude. It's the
drugs like ecstasy, crystal meth and liquid ecstasy that worry some.

These drugs tend to increase the user's confidence and energy level
(allowing them to dance all night), reduce social inhibitions and give a
sense of well-being. They can also cause nausea, paranoia, jaw clenching,
seizure, insomnia, coma and even death.

Porter said this has become a public health issue partly because the ravers
who react to the drugs end up in hospital emergency rooms.

"That's put a burden on emergency rooms that are already overburdened,"
Porter said, adding that Toronto-area hospitals have expressed concern
about the number of ravers admitted.

While Hamilton-area hospitals have seen some drug-related cases, they
haven't seen the same numbers as Toronto. But that's not to say Hamilton
youths aren't part of the rave scene both here and in Toronto.

At Hamilton's Alternatives for Youth, executive director Catherine
McPherson-Doe said ecstasy use is becoming more widespread.

"Previously, we would see the use of ecstasy primarily with kids in the
rave scene. Now the use is broadening."

Even more of a concern, McPherson-Doe said, is the quality of ecstasy young
people are taking. The drug is usually bought from a dealer at the rave or
nearby. Ravers usually don't know their dealers and don't know the drug is
cut with chemicals.

But McPherson-Doe said that even if the inquest looks at drug quality, it
won't change the mindset of ravers.

"It will raise awareness in the adult population, but it will have less of
an effect on youth," she said. "(Ecstasy) is associated with good times.
It's seen in a positive light and that blinds people to the potential
dangers of it."

Charles Khabouth, the owner of The Guvernment and The Warehouse clubs in
downtown Toronto, has seen the dangers of it first-hand. One night last
year, a young raver left Khabouth's rave in an ambulance. The 21-year-old
man died later in hospital.

Khabouth, who said he has since curtailed raves at his clubs, said an
inquest isn't the answer. He said teens should be educated about drugs in
schools and police should crack down on dealers.

"Everybody knows these kids died of an overdose," he said. "When we had a
death here, we had five police officers at the door, people were being
searched, we had in-house paramedics, an ambulance outside the door. What
more could we do?"

Khabouth said another way to reduce rave-related tragedies is to remove
club drugs from rave culture. But he doesn't see that happening anytime soon.

"It's tough because raves are about no alcohol," he said. "If a kid takes
drugs and walks in, what can anybody do?"

WHAT ARE RAVE DRUGS?

* Ecstasy (MDMA) is a stimulant with some hallucinogenic properties and
comes in tablet form. The drug can result in death from liver and heart
failure. Long-term effects include brain and liver damage. It kicks in
about 30 minutes after ingestion and lasts six to eight hours. It's sold
for $30 to $40 a tab.

* Liquid ecstasy (GHB) is a nervous system depressant which comes in liquid
form. It dissolves in water, where it is colourless and odourless. It gives
the user a sense of inner peace, inhibition and relaxation. Adverse
side-effects include nausea, vomiting, coma and seizures. It takes 15
minutes to kick in and lasts one to three hours. It's sold in vials for $10
to $15.

* Crystal meth (Methamphetamine) is essentially a smokable form of speed
and a powerful stimulant. It gives the user an adrenalin rush, lots of
energy and a sense of well-being. Adverse side-effects include nausea, jaw
clenching, seizure and stroke. Long-term effects include psychological
dependence, weight loss and aggression. Crystal meth is sold in caps for
$10 to $20.