REGION ISSUES WARNING AGAINST RAVES AND BUSH PARTIES

The Halton Region Health Department is encouraging young people and parents
to understand the potential dangers associated with summertime bush parties
and raves.

The Region has joined the Halton Regional Police and both area school
boards to promote their opposition to these events, characterizing them as
"potentially unsafe environments."

The reasons for this stand include easier access to illegal drugs like
ecstasy; criminal or gang activity; fire safety (at raves) and a higher
risk of sexual assault.

"The objective for the community partners is to raise awareness in the
community about the dangers and risks associated with youth attendance at
raves, bush parties and all-night dance events," said Halton Medical
Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal. "By creating awareness we can inform
people about the reality of these events and ultimately encourage youth to
make informed decisions about attending them."

Parents and guardians are being asked to assume the responsibility for
sharing health and safety concerns with their teenagers, such as asking
them the following questions: Where is the event? Who will you be with? How
will you handle peer pressure? How will you get home? (Have a plan to
communicate for a ride home.) What time will you be home?

The Health Department also encourages youths to stay with trusted friends
and steer clear of drugs and alcohol.

If youths do attend raves or all-night dance parties, the Health Department
suggests they drink plenty of water (500 ml per hour of vigorous dancing)
to prevent dehydration; take frequent breaks from dancing to cool off; stay
with trusted friends at the event and on the way home; don't use alcohol or
illicit drugs.

According to the 2001 Ontario Student Drug Survey, which collected data
from students in Grades 7-13, approximately 18 per cent of participants
said they attended a rave in the previous 12 months. The average age of
rave attendees was 15. About 41 per cent of survey participants reported
having attended a bush part in the previous 12 months.

The survey also revealed that 49 per cent of rave attendees and 51 per cent
of those at bush parties reported using marijuana. A total of 19 per cent
rave attendees reported using ecstasy versus 14 per cent for ravers, 27 per
cent of whom used hallucinogens as opposed to 23 per cent of bush party-goers.

At the last Drive 4 Life conference in Oakville, Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health program consultant Stephen Meredith said that although many
youths who attend raves enjoy them for the music and dance alone without
being fueled by "club drugs," a host of illegal - and dangerous -
substances are often available.

These range from magic mushrooms and crystal meth to ecstasy and many
ravers don't always know exactly what they're buying and what impurities
may be involved.

The predominant drug at raves is ecstasy, which dramatically increases
heart rate and blood pressure, raises body temperature alarmingly and can
lead to depression. Long-term use has been linked to permanent damage to
the neuro-transmitters in the brain.

PMA - which dealers falsely sell as ecstasy because it's cheaper to
manufacture - increases body temperature too but can also shut down
internal organs.

For more information about raves, bush parties and drug use call the Health
Department at 825-6000 ext. 7835; TTY 827-9833 or
http://www.region.halton.on.ca/health.