NO RAVES FOR RAVES AND BUSH PARTIES

Summer is a time for parties and no one enjoys a good party more than a
teenager. They are a rite of growing up, but along with the fun there is
the potential for danger.

That's why the Halton Regional Health Department has teamed up with Halton
Regional Police and the two local school boards to promote their opposition
to summertime bush parties and "raves."

Raves, bush parties and all-night dance events are not the parties parents
might remember attending in their younger days.

According to the health department, these modern-day bashes allow for
easier access to illegal drugs like ecstasy, criminal or gang activity and
a higher risk of sexual assault. There is also the question of fire safety
at raves.

Simply put, there is far less control at raves than at a typical house
party and, therefore, the potential for trouble greatly increases.

According to the 2001 Ontario Student Drug Survey which collected data from
students in Grades 7-13, 19 per cent of ravers used ecstasy while 14 per
cent of bush party-goers did likewise. When it came to using hallucinogens,
27 per cent of rave attendees admitted using the illegal drugs while 23 per
cent of bush party-goers did the same.

Parents and guardians are being urged to assume the responsibility for the
health and safety of their children by asking them the tough questions and
giving them all the information they need to make an informed decision on
which parties to attend.