RAVE ACT TARGETS DRUGS, NOT PARTIES

I write in response to the April 11 letter by Darlene Kimsey regarding the
"RAVE Act" ("RAVE act legislation needs second look").

There are errors in her letter that I must point out.

First, the intent of this legislation is not to do "away with rave
parties." In fact, the RAVE Act has nothing to do with dancing, music or
any other form of expression. Rather, the bill targets people who promote
events for the purpose of distributing or using illicit drugs.

Second, the examples Kimsey uses to imply that innocent persons will be
subject to prosecution, because someone uses drugs without their knowledge
in a building he or she has rented, are erroneous. Under the RAVE Act, such
individuals would never be subject to prosecution. The bill requires a
prosecutor to prove that a property owner or user of property knowingly and
intentionally rented the property for the purpose of unlawfully
manufacturing, storing, distributing or using a controlled substance.
Unless a parent or a landlord is using a space for the purpose of illicit
drug use or distribution, then that person has nothing about which to be
concerned. It would not apply to innocent persons where there happened to
be incidental drug use.

I am happy Kimsey agrees "that the bill is needed and good." Its purpose is
to deter illicit drug use and protect our children. On April 10, Congress
overwhelmingly passed a child protection bill that incorporates the
language of the RAVE Act, and Bush is expected to sign it into law soon.

Howard Coble, Washington