WORKSHOP DEALS WITH 'RAVE' CULTURE

Being a young person attending a "rave" can be a good time, but do you really
know what's going on when you turn your back?

Approximately 50 people attended the Raves and Club Drugs workshop Thursday,
Sept. 18, at College Boreal to learn more about raves and so-called "party
drugs" that are often found at these types of gatherings.

What began as small random underground parties in the late 1980's, soon became
a culture. With the loud and hypnotic music, bright strobe lights, psychedelic
lasers and the original clothing, a rave was a place for people from the ages
of 19 to 24 to have a good time, meet up with friends and maybe meet new
people.

Across the City of Greater Sudbury, there isn't a big rave scene, although
there are a couple of organized events held every year .

What started out as a musical and cultural movement that emphasized good times
and positive vibes, the rave scene has changed and not for the better over the
past several years, said Chantal Wade, a project consultant with the Centre for
Addictions and Mental Health in Ottawa.

For example the average age of those attending raves has dropped from 19 to 14
years old and then more and more people started looking to buy or sell drugs,
said Wade.

The main drug used at a rave is Ecstasy, also known as E, Adam or the Love
Drug. This drug can sometimes contain highly toxic drugs such as PMA, which can
be lethal even in low doses, said Wade.

Along with Ecstasy, other popular drugs used by ravers include Ketamine
(Special K), GHB (Liquid Ecstasy), Rohypnol (Forget-Me-Pill) as well as
Methamphetamine (Speed or Crystal Meth), said Wade.

All of the above can easily be found being sold, snorted, smoked or injected at
most raves and most young people who try them are inexperienced and can get
into big trouble, said Wade.

Although not everyone attending a rave is impaired, it is always important to
keep your drink with you at all times, she said.

If you would like more information on these types of drugs visit the Sudbury
FOCUS Community Project web site at www.sudburyfocus.com or call them at (705)
674-4330.

You can also access information at the Sudbury & District Health Unit at
522-9200, or visit their web site at www.sdhu.com.