LAW WOULD CUT INTO RAVE SCENE

EACH YEAR, TENS OF Thousands Of Young People Are Initiated Into The Drug
Culture At "Rave" Parties Or Events.

Some rave promoters market the event to teens on flyers depicting pictures
of Ecstasy pills and slang terms for the drug, such as "Chocolate chips,"
"E-bomb," "Love Doctor" and "Roll."

Ecstasy is the most popular of the club drugs associated with raves, and it
represents a major health risk. Thousands of teen-agers are treated for
overdoses and Ecstasy-related health problems in emergency rooms each year.

Even if not taken in lethal doses, Ecstasy use can damage neurons in the
brain containing serotonin. According to the National Institute on Drug
Abuse, this can lead to long-term brain damage.

S2633, the RAVE Act pending in Congress, seeks to penalize those who manage,
own or rent an establishment and are knowingly and intentionally promoting
or housing an event where Ecstasy and other illicit drugs will be
manufactured, stored, distributed or sold.

S2633 will reduce the amount of raves held expressly for using illicit
drugs.

The writer is YouthLink director, Oregon Partnership, Southwest Portland