Music:
  
RAVE Act: to disrupt music scene

Teresa Brown
Music Editor

The Rave Act
To prohibit an individual from 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, and for other purposes

 The RAVE Act seems innocent on the outside, but when examined thoroughly, it is downright vicious.  Senator Biden (Drug Caucus) originally raved that this bill, if inacted, would decrease drug use,  specifically Ecstasy.  
 "Unfortunately, most raves are havens for illicit drug use," said Biden. "Enacting the RAVE Act will help prosecute the promoters who seek to profit from exploiting and endangering young lives. The bill also lays out a plan to educate youth, parents and other interested adults about the dangers of Ecstasy and other club drugs associated with raves."
 The act will "tailor" the "crack house statute" and target rave promoters who "exploit and endanger America's teenagers." Basically, if anyone is caught doing any drugs at a rave or another similar event, the business owner and building owner can be fined as much as $500,000 and face time in jail.  The act stretches as far as to fine or jail a home owner if someone is caught doing drugs or being under the influence of drugs on their property.
 Everyone knows that drugs can happen at any event.  Just because they are there, doesn't mean everyone is doing them.  I've been to dozens of concerts where someone has either tried to sell me shrooms and nitrous or asked me where the acid or weed is at-- like I'd know.  
 The War on Drugs hasn't worked and probably never will.  But by tackling business owners with hefty fines and possible jail time, this act will disrupt MY life.  If for any reason I can no longer go to a certain venue because someone was found doing drugs there, I'll be pissed.  I don't do drugs.  I go to concerts for the music.  This act is more of a burden than a solution.
 "The answer to the problem of drug use at raves is not simply to prosecute irresponsible rave promoters and those who distribute drugs. There is also a responsibility to raise awareness among parents, teachers, students, coaches, religious leaders, etc. about the dangers of the drugs used and sold at raves. The RAVE Act will help spread the message so that today's kids and their parents will know the risks of taking Ecstasy, and what it can do to their bodies, their brains, their futures," said Biden. 
 If The RAVE Act promises to prosecute people for "allowing" drug use on their premises, what about the U.S. judiciary systems and their fantastic prisons?  People in jails can get drugs, so why not fine the institution?  If they can't keep drugs out of a locked down situation, how do they expect business owners in the city to do so? 

Return to Main Page