DdC

During Prohibition, the government required that industrial alcohol be poisoned, typically with methanol, to keep it from being converted into cocktails. If bootleggers did not completely remove the adulterant, it could cause blindness, paralysis and death. Thus a measure aimed at discouraging alcohol consumption made it more hazardous for those who continued to drink.

A similar dynamic can be seen in today's war on drugs. The latest example is a law President Bush signed last month. The measure, attached to the Amber Alert bill by Senator Joseph Biden, Democrat of Delaware, holds club owners responsible for drug use on their property.

The main target — reflected in the rider's original name, the Reducing Americans' Vulnerability to Ecstasy (RAVE) bill — is the all-night dance parties, or raves, where the drug MDMA, also called Ecstasy, is popular.

The act prohibits "knowingly opening, maintaining, managing, controlling, renting, leasing, making available for use, or profiting from any place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing or using any controlled substance." Given this broad language, anyone who organizes or rents space for an event where drug use takes place could face criminal charges. Not only is the law unlikely to keep people from using Ecstasy, it could magnify the drug's dangers by pushing raves further underground and discouraging voluntary efforts to protect users from serious harm.

The most significant short-term risk associated with MDMA is its impairment of the body's ability to regulate temperature. Overheating is a special concern at raves, where people may dance vigorously in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces for hours at a time.

For years volunteer groups like DanceSafe have been passing out fliers at raves and night clubs with advice on how to avoid dangerous overheating — drink water, take frequent breaks, abstain from alcohol (which compounds dehydration). Event sponsors have helped by providing bottles of water and ventilated "chill out" rooms, measures intended not to encourage drug use but to reduce drug-related harm. Under the new law, however, such sensible precautions could be seen as evidence that the host or owner knew guests would be using drugs, exposing him to $250,000 or more in civil penalties, a criminal fine of up to $500,000, and a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

It could also be incriminating to allow DanceSafe or other groups to set up tables to test drugs for purity. Such testing is an important safety step because tablets sold as MDMA sometimes contain the cough suppressant dextromethorphan, which can block perspiration, impede the metabolism of MDMA and have disturbing psychoactive effects in high doses. Another drug sometimes passed off as MDMA is paramethoxyamphetami ne, which is potentially lethal in high doses. On-site testing can prevent bad reactions and deaths, but how many nightclub owners or landlords will risk a prison sentence or ruinous fines by allowing it?

In addition, the anti-rave legislation is likely to push events toward clandestine sites, where conditions will be less safe, supervision less responsible and emergency help less prompt. At remote locations, drug reactions that might otherwise have been quickly treated could turn deadly.

There is no question that MDMA can be dangerous, and legitimate questions remain about its long-term effects on memory. However, it is rarely linked with fatalities: the federal Drug Abuse Warning Network counted fewer than 10 MDMA-related deaths in 1999, the last year for which national totals were reported. The paradox is that the new law could lead to a rise in that number.

In response to criticism of the law, Senator Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who was one of its original sponsors, called for "a more narrowly crafted bill" aimed at promoters "holding events in order to profit from the illegal distribution of Ecstasy." With the law on the books, the question now is how broadly it will be applied. The Drug Policy Alliance, a group that advocates more flexible drug laws, is asking the Justice Department to give the term "knowingly" a narrow reading. Such discretion may anger drug war hard-liners, but it could also save lives.

Jacob Sullum, a senior editor at Reason magazine, is author of
Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use. --
<a href="http://www.reason.com/sayingyes" target="_blank">http ://www.reason.com/sayingyes</A>

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16458.shtml" target="_blank">When Holding a Party Is a Crime</a>
Source: New York Times (NY)
Author: Jacob Sullum
Published: May 30, 2003
Contact: letters@nytimes.com
Website: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com" target="_blank">http ://www.nytimes.com</A>

Related Articles & Web Site

DanceSafe
<a href="http://www.dancesafe.org" target="_blank">http ://www.dancesafe.org</A>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16114.shtml" target="_blank">S.F. Clubs Rip Feds' Rave Bill</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16032.shtml" target="_blank">Part y Patrol: Law Could Spoil Your Summer Fun</a>
<a href="http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15994.shtml" target="_blank">Musi c Promoters Fear Anti-Drug Clause</a>
<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=rave+act " target="_blank">Cann abis News Search: Rave Act</a>

<a href="http://dancesafe.org/testingkits" target="_blank">Adul terant Screening Kits!</a>

stamp out prohibition
<a href="http://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/29/29591.jpg" target="_blank">http ://www.cannabinoid.com/wwwboard/politics/binaries/29/29591.jpg</A>

Ask Dr. Alexander (Sasha) Shulgin
ARCHIVE: August 26, 2002
MDMA (Ecstasy) Pill Testing & ID Resources

Dear Dr. Shulgin: Is there a comprehensive list on the web or elsewhere of different ecstasy tabs with pictures of the tabs and descriptions of their ingredients?
-- Anita

Dear Anita:
I am surprised that about one of every ten letters I receive concerns the identity, or content, or authenticity of some Ecstasy pill. "Are you familiar with pills called Orbital (or Pink Superman, or 1-2, or Shank, and on and on) or whether the small red ones with interlocking circles on it are really MDMA (or DXM, or PMA, or MDA, or GHB, and on and on)...
<a href="http://www.alchemind.org/shulgin/adsarchive/pilltest.htm" target="_blank">http ://www.alchemind.org/shulgin/adsarchive/pilltest.htm</A>



<a href="http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/05_28_03rave.cfm" target="_blank">RAVE Act Sparks Nationwide Action</a>

ROAR! The National Dance and Music Rights Alliance
<a href="http://www.roargroup.org" target="_blank">http ://www.roargroup.org</A>

Date: Thu, 29 May 2003
From: "Drug Policy Alliance" alerts@actioncenter. drugpolicy.org
Subject: RAVE Act Protests Across the Country, May 31, 2003

Have you ever wanted to dance for a good cause? Here's your chance. On Saturday, May 31, protest gatherings will be held in cities across the country to call for repeal of the RAVE Act. Click here to find a protest near you.
<a href="http://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1849 " target="_blank">http ://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1849 </A>

A lot of you out there know what it takes to throw a good party - promotion, DJs or a band, a sound system, and a big crowd. The same can be said for a good protest. Help us make these events a success by showing up. If you can't be at one of the protests on May 31, please donate today so that we can make sure these events make the biggest impact possible on Congress and the White House.

And to make sure our message is heard loud and clear in Washington, DC, do us a favor and call your Representatives and Senators to let them know about the protest. To find out who your federal legislators are, use our legislative directory
<a href="http://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1850 " target="_blank">http ://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1850 </A> .

Tell your Members of Congress that you support the protests against the RAVE Act occurring around the country on May 31st. Tell them the RAVE Act was passed without debate and without a full vote of Congress, that it violates fundamental civil liberties and that you want it repealed or amended to protect innocent business owners, public health, and free speech.

Because of you, the campaign to repeal the RAVE Act is growing. Together we've raised nearly $16,000 on-line for our efforts. However, that will only go so far in what's sure to be a long fight. If you haven't already given to this effort, please do so now.

Like we said in our last e-mail about the RAVE Act: If you're willing to shell out $10 to see your favorite band or listen to your favorite DJ, will you give $10 to protect the scene from this outrageous law? If you can give more, please do so. Please give at:
<a href="http://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1851 " target="_blank">http ://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1851 </A>

The Drug Policy Alliance is reaching hundreds of thousands of people with our campaign. Since the RAVE Act was signed into law in April, we've:
-- Placed a print ad in an industry magazine that reaches 50,000 people;

-- Generated commentaries and news stories in Rolling Stone, Billboard Magazine, Circuit Noize, the Washington Blade, Newsweek, <a href="http://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1853 " target="_blank">http ://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1853 </A> the Miami Herald, and newspapers across the country through the Associated Press; and

-- Urged voters to call their Members of Congress on dozens of radio shows from California to New York.

We are working in coalition to repeal the law and we expect to get a bill introduced soon. We are working to make the RAVE Act an issue in the next election and we are acting as a watchdog to ensure that the DEA and others will not trample on the rights of electronic dance fans. Drug Policy Alliance is also working overtime to strip provisions from a House bill known as the CLEAN-UP Act that will destroy live music if passed.

Thanks for your hard work for this effort. Please attend the protests, call your representatives, send a donation <a href="http://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1852 " target="_blank">http ://actioncenter.drugpol icy.org/ctt.asp?u=184&l=1852 </A> and keep spreading the word.

We would like to give a very special thank you to the groups that have made these protests possible, including the Northwest Late Night Coalition, DANCEmusic, the Culture Defense Project, and ROAR!: The National Dance and Music Rights Alliance.

Sincerely,
Bill Piper
Associate Director of National Affairs
<a href="http://drugpolicy.org" target="_blank">Drug Policy Alliance</a>

<a href="http://drugpolicy.org/takeaction" target="_blank">Oppo se the CLEAN-UP Act</a>



From EMDEF NEWS Citing Free Speech Rights,
Louisiana Court Rejects Government's Extremist Tactics in Culture War Against Raves

NEW ORLEANS--In a ruling the American Civil Liberties Union called a "major victory" for free speech rights, a federal judge on February 5, permanently blocked federal agents from banning masks, pacifiers, and glow sticks at a local dance venue as part of its nationwide war against rave concerts.

<a href="http://archive.aclu.org/issues/drugpolicy/cases/McClure_v_Ashcroft/McClure_v_Ashcroft.h tml" target="_blank">An ACLU online feature on this case</a>, including links to court papers...



The U.S. government risking the health of its citizens?
Ain't the first time...
DdC

<a href="http://www.jackherer.com/book/ch15.html" target="_blank">Dr. Heath/Tulane Study, 1974</a>
The Hype: Brain Damage and Dead Monkeys

Poisoning Pot Smokers
In August and September, 1983, Turner went on national television to justify the illegal marijuana spraying (by plane) of paraquat in Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee by the DEA. He said it would teach a lesson to any kid who died from paraquat-poisoned pot. Turner was forced to resign after announcing his conclusions in public that marijuana caused homosexuality, the breakdown of the immune system, and, therefore, AIDS.

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread10256.shtml" target="_blank">Pois on Pot by Joel Miller</a>

<a href="http://www.corpwatch.org/issues/military/featured/2001/monsanto.html" target="_blank">Mons anto and the drug war</a>

<a href="http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread9468.shtml" target="_blank">Spra ying Misery</a>

<a href="http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohi bitionfrm13.showMess age?topicID=26.topic " target="_blank">MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THY PEOPLE YOU'RE DYING</a>

<a href="http://www.peyote.com/jonstef/mkultra.htm" target="_blank">MKUL TRA CIA Mind Control</a>

<a href="http://pub3.ezboard.com/fendingcannabisprohi bitionwhyitstimetole galize.showMessage?t opicID=341.topic" target="_blank">The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment & Linx</a>

__________________

dezzy533

Who would want to waste there time reading that bullshit.

Formulaic Insanity

but its organized so well

Makros_01

well if the ravers want to rave, they can.
but if they're stupid, they'll die.
we had a death here at our biggest yrly festival "the Big Day Out".in 99-00 (not sure). it tours the capitals 'n' shit. anyway. she died, in a limp bizkit mosh..
they made a hoo ha about it in the papers and such, but the fact remained;

she died, cause she popped too many e's, and went diving in the middle of 10 thousand people without a bottle of water or any thought for herself.
stupidity attracts the law.
stop being stupid

__________________
sometimes i'm drunk.

DdC

Makros_01,

In your Bill O'Really impression, you are right. But the point of the post is to show that this law is preventing people from being smart about their consumptions and activities. It bans water and test kits that would provide a safer haven. I don't do white powders or attend raves but this law is so bogus it could include hemp festivals and medicinal Ganja. A lame attempt by demonkrats to one upt the fascist GOPerverts like dezzyloopie and the otherones who might hear squeeling like a rat in a trap on occassion. So your typical short sighted observation falls short of the reality you claim to be portraying. Its no more fault of the people than being raped in prison and blaming the user. This law causes the harm the same as prohibition causes the harm in using Ganja.

dezzyloopie533

Who would want to waste there time reading that bullshit.

Looks like you did...
But then most who bother wasting their time reading also comprehend it. Too bad for the dezzy loopies that can't. I would think that large pointed stick up your ass would tend to be bothersome, why don't you remove it? Or is that just a Bushit thang I wouldn't know about? You GOPerverts sure are wasteful for such Puritanical conservatudes. I think you're all the true Liberals, wanting big government censors and laws intruding on citizens. Your Ganjawar slaps on the liberalism like nothing in history. Yes dessyloopie You are a waste, I agree.
Peace, Love and Liberty or the Braindead sluts of DEAth!
DdC

__________________

Formulaic Insanity

DdC, you're so clever

Demonkrats and Bushits; you should write for The Daily Show

DdC

Anyone is free to use whatever I post, why would they want to pay me for it on the whatever show? Is Daily the Graig Kilborns show? He used to be our weatherman on the local news. He wasn't entertaining then either. I prefer the term GOPerverts to Bushits when used in context with Demonkrats btw... Bushit is a GOPervert but all GOPerverts aren't Bushits.
DdC

__________________

Formulaic Insanity

dezzy533

[quote]Originally posted by generic_hippie:
<strong>you DdC, you are knowledgeable, cool post again. Don't defend youself to dezzy533 anymore, or any other idiots.
Thnak you for the effort to make such informative and well structured posts DdC, it's appreciated by me anyway.</strong><hr></blockquote>

what racists.

Lions & Christians (PB)

[quote]Originally posted by generic_hippie:
<strong>

nah, I've said it before, IDIOTIST.
Seriously dezzy, did it make you feel good to hang shit on this informative thread? If so, WHY? Didn't Mommy love you enough when you were a little boy? Oh wait, that's why you and the others do it. BECAUSE YOU ARE LITTLE BOYS.</strong><hr></blockquote>


and you dont consider the post you just made "hanging shit on this informative thread"?

join the rest of the little boys generic...
your no better.

__________________
The most dangerous drug on this planet has to be oxygen.

A gateway drug to say the least, further more people use without even consideration, not consenting to moderation in the least, and dont even get me started on the withdrawels.

the goal of alchemy is to turn lead into gold. to take a substance and combine it with another substance that makes it more than it's origenal worth. in this sense, you really need to start making bronze statues of your pharmacist or local chemist, for they have made gods own medicine, morphine, and in contrast, a shiney rock doesnt seem to compete.