Pubdate: Sat, 15 Jan 2000 Source: Halifax Daily News (CN NS) Copyright: 2000 The Daily News. Contact: http://www.hfxnews.southam.ca/ Author: Dave Chart RAVES SAFE FOR MOST TEENS To the editor: I agree with columnist Nancy Radcliffe's Jan. 5 article about fiddler Ashley MacIsaac, but I do not agree with the drug-fest comment made by Gary Hines (Letters, Jan. 11). All-night parties give teens of all ages an opportunity to do something fun rather than hang out on the streets during the night - which is far more dangerous than attending a rave. Drugs are everywhere. Would you rather your kid be high on the street, or in a relaxed atmosphere where people - even strangers - take care of each other to ensure everyone has a great time? The last four or five times that I've been to a rave, I've been sober and still had the greatest time of my life. Many people go sober to raves. The overdoses that you hear about happen to people who take drugs they can't handle, and/or they are just being irresponsible. I bet you've never even been to a rave, have you, Gary? DAVE CHART Lower Sackville - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto