POLICE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT RAVE

Police investigating the sudden death of 23-year-old Edward James
(Jamie) Britten at a rave Sunday morning say they are taking a close
look at the party that drew about 3,000 dance fans to the Atlantic
Exhibition Park near Halifax.

But what killed the Port Hawkesbury man might not be made public
Tantallon RCMP spokesman Const. Brad Reid said results of an autopsy
performed Sunday afternoon might not be released unless charges are
considered.

"Right now, we are concentrating on what happened before, during and
just after this young man's death," said Reid.

Police said Sunday that a drug overdose was strongly suspected as the
cause, but what type of drug remains unknown.

The all-night dances called raves by enthusiasts, have acquired a
reputation for drug use, especially the synthetic stimulants ecstasy
and crystal methamphetamine.

Reid said part of the RCMP investigation will look at the availability
of illegal drugs at the party.

Collapsed in parking lot Britten collapsed in the parking lot of
Exhibition Park around 3 a.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the
QEII Health Sciences Centre. The RCMP want to know if the man,
described as outgoing and athletic, was inside the rave before he
collapsed or had just arrived.

Police want to know the sequence of events leading to Britten's death,
but they will also be looking into whether provincial liquor laws and
fire codes were followed.

"Right now everything is a question," said Reid.

RCMP are asking party-goers to contact them with information about the
rave, believed by many to be the largest yet held in the region.
Anyone with information is asked to contact RCMP Cpl. Rick Shaw at
826-3100.

Raves are sometimes secretive events, with details about the location
released just before the dance. Other raves are organized in secret
locations with customers taken by bus to the event.

Rave party-goers contacted by The Daily News said drugs were available
inside the Exhibition Park venue.

"There were drugs there for the asking," said one woman who asked not
to be named.

Other guests said security was tight with bouncers even doing
pat-downs as people entered the building.

The Cole Harbour-based promoters, Power Source International, could
not be reached for comment.