anabolic frolic

Rave rules wanted

James Parker
Regina Leader Post


The Opposition called for a crackdown on raves Wednesday following the weekend death of a 18-year-old Melville girl who attended an all-night dance party in Saskatoon.

Accusing the NDP coalition of ignoring police concerns, Saskatchewan Party MLA Arlene Jule demanded the government license and regulate the events.

Last week, Saskatoon deputy police chief Dan Wiks wrote to deputy justice minister John Whyte on behalf of the Saskatchewan Association of Chiefs of Police and urged the government to pass legislation regulating raves, which he called a regular occurrence in Saskatchewan and a "serious problem".

"There is an immediate need to address this issue," Jule said during question period in the legislative assembly.

"I ask the minister again. Will the government introduce legislation this session to license and regulate raves?"

Justice Minister Chris Axworthy said the government is concerned about the weekend incident and raves generally. But he said legislation could drive the dance parties underground, which would make them even more difficult to control.

"We are investigating ways to address this concern with Saskatoon City Police," said the justice minister.

"We are corresponding with other provinces who have looked at this question and chosen not to legislate. We're also looking at municipalities who have bylaws to address this concern. We will leave no stone unturned to address these concerns and to ensure our young people are safe."

Saskatoon City Police suspect that Ashley Blixrud died from a drug overdose early Sunday morning. The Grade 12 student, who was to graduate from Melville Comprehensive High School on June 27, was seen vomiting minutes before she went into convulsions at the party.

Last month, Jule asked Culture and Youth Minister Joanne Crofford about whether the government was considering legislation to regulate raves.

Crofford cautioned against condemning everyone involved in the dance parties as junkies. She said the extreme stories about raves "come out of Britain, which is a different cultural milieu". The minister said the raves she's attended featured "inter-arts activity" and dance demonstrations and other things involving young university arts students.

Wiks tells a different story in his letter to Whyte.

"As you are no doubt aware, raves attract people (no age restrictions) who attend with the intention of dancing to loud music, while under the influence of mind-altering illicit drugs (i.e Ecstasy, MDA, 2CB, etc.)."

Ontario has withdrawn legislation which would regulate raves. But Regina Police Chief Cal Johnston, president of the provincial police chiefs association, said a provincial law would make the promoters accountable for the events they hold.

Johnston said there should be a licensing process which ensure rave promoters provide adequate security, on-site medical personnel and adequate supplies of water at their dances. He said promoters should also have to post a bond and undergo a criminal background check before getting a license. No one under the age of 19 should be allowed to attend a rave, he added.

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