COMMUNITY DISCUSSES RAVE CULTURE BENEFITS, STEREOTYPES

Peace, love, unity and respect is the motto of the rave culture, said
a guest speaker for the Community Benefits of "Rave Culture."

Shara Merrill, spoke on the positive benefits of the rave culture and
the stereotypes surrounding the culture Tuesday night at the
Stillwater Community Center. She represents the Drug Policy Forum of
Oklahoma.

She included power point slides, techno music and lighting in her
presentation.

The presentation covered the growth and development of the rave
culture over the past 20 years.

Merrill addressed the stereotypes concerning the violence and abuse of
drugs, particularly Methylene dioxy methamphetamine, associated with
the rave culture. Raves tend to promote nonviolent gatherings, Merrill
said.

"Every time I've been to a bar, there has been violence, but violence
at raves is extremely rare," Merrill said.

Merrill said raves primarily create opportunities for participants to
express their artistic ability through music, art, dance, and light
shows.

"Raving is an immersive experience for sight as well as for sound,"
Merrill said. "You might see an artist creating a masterpiece live in
front of your eyes."

Merrill said raves and dance parties allow anyone to participate, an
environment "dedicated to having fun, being playful and creating the
vibe."

Merrill urged the crowd to exercise their rights of freedom of
expression and free assembly through the rave culture.

She said raves are a "very unique and wonderful art
form."

"There is oppression of artistic expression when raves are shut down.
Get out there and get your rave on," Merrill said.

Following Merrill's speech was an opportunity for an open discussion,
where participants could ask questions.

Several participants asked about the effects of illegal substances
used at raves, such as MDMA, and the relationship between the two.

MDMA was originally a therapy drug used by psychiatrists in the 1950s,
said Ron Shewey, president of the Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma.

Shewey said MDMA was made illegal in 1985 when the rave culture began
to grow and abuse MDMA, but there have not been any studies confirming
the adverse effects of MDMA.

"Anything can have negative aspects, but the positive effects have
outweighed the negative. It deepens friendships and allows people to
feel free to be themselves," Merrill said. "But of course, that is not
the only way to achieve those effects."

In addition, Merrill performed a technoelectronic music, lights and
art demonstration along with local disc jockeys D'Howzkeepa, 2 Chiefs
and Positron.

The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma presented the event to inform and
educate people about legal and illegal drug policies and the issues
surrounding the substances, Shewey said.

"It's an introduction to the rave culture to show people it's not
anything that they should be afraid of," Shewey said. "It's a dance
culture."

Shewey said raves are publicly and legally held in Stillwater and
Oklahoma on a regular basis. The use of illegal substances "is not
promoted by the person who sets up the rave," Shewey said.

The organization provided free coffee and snacks and took donations.
The Drug Policy Forum of Oklahoma's next event will be held in June,
and feature Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Okla. City, as the event's speaker.