RAVER OVERDOSES AT ALL-NIGHT DANCE PARTY

A drug overdose at a Richmond rave Saturday night threatens to re-open the
debate around the all-night dance parties.

"Parents had better know what their kids are doing at these events," said
Corp. Peter Thiessen, media liaison officer with the Richmond RCMP.
"Clearly, these raves are a haven for drug traffickers and drug users."

The party, held at the Riverside Banquet Hall, also resulted in several
charges of drug possession and trafficking.

About 1,300 people attended the event, one of the city's legally sanctioned
parties under a local bylaw.

City council created the bylaw last January after heavy debate around the
issue. Some politicians felt the parties should be banned because of their
link to drugs and other illegal activity. But others said a total ban would
only send the events underground where they couldn't be monitored.

They compromised by creating a policy that puts the onus of security and
insurance on the event promoter.

This week, Mayor Malcolm Brodie said he was concerned with news of the
overdose, but added word of the arrests indicate the city's policy is working.

"Let's at least find out what happened," he said. "Whether or not we need
to revamp the bylaw, that remains to be seen."