Pubdate: Fri, 12 May 2000 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: 333 King St. E., Toronto, Ontario M5A 3X5 Canada Fax: (416) 947-3228 Website: http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSun/ Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/newsgroups.html Author: Zen Ruryk Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00.n635.a01.htm COUNCILLOR NOT SOLD ON RAVE BAN The decision to suspend raves at Exhibition Place will allow Toronto politicians breathing room to "get to understand the beast of drugs," says Councillor Joe Pantalone. Toronto council this week banned raves on city property until at least Aug. 1, when Police Chief Julian Fantino will report on the dance parties. Pantalone, chairman of the board of governors at Exhibition Place, said councillors need to compare drug use at raves and other events. The outcome of the ongoing inquest into the death of Allen Ho will also be a key factor, Pantalone added. Ho, a 20-year-old student, died after overdosing on Ecstasy in an underground garage amid 2,500 revellers. "Personally, I'm not convinced that banning them will be the answer at the end of the day," Pantalone said. The city's move to ban raves on city property is "short-sighted," said rave promoter Chris Samojlenko, who testified yesterday at the Ho inquest. "What I certainly want as a rave promoter is to have access to the best venues to throw the best events and taking away what few are remaining is not helping," he said. Ho died after a rave in a parking garage promoted by Samojlenko. - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst