Pubdate: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 Source: Medford Mail Tribune (OR) Copyright: 2002 The Mail Tribune Contact: http://www.mailtribune.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/642 Author: Ryan Hartman RAVES ARE SAFE PLACES I am writing to you today in response to the article published on March 31 regarding the club drug ecstasy and the rave community. Ken Magee of the Drug Enforcement Administration stated that allowing your teenage child to attend a "rave" or an all-night dance party is the equivalent to letting them go to a crack house. This information could not be further from the truth. The people that attend raves are not crack heads; they are regular teenagers just like your son or daughter. The atmosphere at a rave is very friendly, happy and safe. As with any large gathering of people, drugs are around, but not once have I ever seen one fight or drugs being pushed onto another person at a rave. Mr. Magee has obviously never been to a rave or he would see the real truth. The people that attend raves follow a simple philosophy, PLUR: Peace, Love, Unity and Respect. This is very different than violence, hate and stealing you would find at your local crack house. - - Ryan Hartman, Medford - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart