COP GROUP TARGETS 'RAVE' DRUGS

REDWOOD CITY -- As a direct response to the giant New Year's Eve party
at Daly City's Cow Palace, where drugs were suspected in the deaths of
two men, the California Narcotics Officers' Association is encouraging
cities and counties to tighten permit processes and oversight of raves.

The group has announced a list of guidelines meant to help local
agencies curtail or eliminate the presence of "illegal and deadly
drugs" at such events.

The six-point strategy is designed to keep rave organizers from
claiming ignorance of drug paraphernalia and the presence of drugs at
their events, said Rick Oules, the association's president.

"I want to stress very much that this has nothing to do with dance,
music or free expression," he said. "This has everything to do with
drugs, drug dealing and young people dying."

Traditionally, a rave was an all-night, underground event, said John
Lovell, the CNOA's legislative counsel. Raves are marked by loud dance
music and often by the presence of illegal drugs.

Mood-altering ecstasy is one of the most common rave drugs, according
to Dave Tresmontan, assistant chief for the California Bureau of
Narcotics Enforcement.

Long-term ecstasy use can cause severe depression, anxiety, insomnia
or even organ failure.

"Raves have become big business," Lovell said.

"We would encourage the use of existing authority to put a permit
process in place to get more of a handle on the events
themselves."

Based in Southern California, the CNOA represents some 7,500 local,
state and federal officers mainly focused on drug enforcement.

The concern is the drugs, Lovell said, adding that the association's
"working definition" of a rave is, "an electronic music event attended
by at least 500 persons ... commonly referred to as rave parties."

In addition to suggesting a 1 a.m. curfew, the six points primarily
revolve around the conditions event promoters must meet before gaining
a permit.

As put forth in the points, a promoter must prove it is "sufficiently
knowledgeable about illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia and can
recognize their presence at a rave event."

Another suggests that promoters must sign a document promising they
will not "permit, condone, or ignore local laws regarding the
presence, possession, sale, or use of illegal drugs and drug
paraphernalia at their event."

Existing San Mateo County law regulating "public dances" on county
property already contains a series of requirements before a permit is
granted.

In addition to submitting event time, date and location, promoters
must provide fingerprints of anyone involved in operating the dance.

Those under the influence of "intoxicating liquor or narcotics" are
prohibited.

The regulations even stipulate the size and location of the dance
floor, and that the dance's premises must be "well lighted." The
sheriff and county fire and health officials also must approve the
permit.

As of press time, Coolworld, which promoted the annual Planet New Year
event, did not respond to The Independent's repeated requests for
comment on the CNOA's initiative.

As with most Cow Palace events, a private security company contracted
with the arena provided security at the Dec. 31 Coolworld celebration,
with some 15 Daly City police officers patrolling the exterior.

Regarding the association's six points, Michael Wegher, CEO of the Cow
Palace, would only say, "Anything law enforcement does to crack down
on drug use is a plus. Everybody should do the best they can."