Pubdate: Fri, 12 May 2000
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2000 The Toronto Star
Contact:  One Yonge St., Toronto ON, M5E 1E6
Fax: (416) 869-4322
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Author: Dale Anne Freed, Toronto Star Staff Reporter

ECSTASY USE AT RAVES PROBLEM, PROMOTER ADMITS

Inquest Told Arrests Over One Pill `Extreme'

A rave promoter thought it might be ``too extreme'' to arrest
teenagers found carrying an Ecstasy pill at a rave, an inquest has
heard.

``I guess I'd have to say arresting someone for one pill is a little
extreme. I'd just want it (the pill) destroyed,'' a cherubic-looking
Christopher Samojlenko, 25, told an inquest into the death of Allan
Ho.

But when pressed by coroner's counsel Paul McDermott, Samojlenko said
he would turn drug users over to police. Normally anyone at one of
Samojlenko's raves found with ecstasy would be turned away and the
drugs destroyed, he said.

A Ryerson student, Ho died two weeks short of his 21st birthday,
overdosing on ecstasy after attending A View To A Thrill rave last
Oct. 9.

But he also told the inquest that ``without question '' a person
should be arrested if they were found dealing the pills, which cost
about $20 each. He just wasn't sure ``how many pills qualifies someone
as a dealer.''

``I'm not a drug user myself,'' said Samojlenko, head of Hullabaloo
Productions, who is also a DJ known as Anabolic Frolic.

Ecstasy use at raves is ``a problem,'' he told the
inquest.

``I certainly don't encourage drugs or condone them,'' he
said.

Although Samojlenko said he has put on 14 raves and never done drugs,
he also knows that teenagers who attend buy soothers and lollypops at
the rave events to combat the jaw-clenching effects that come from
taking the drug.

When pressed he also told coroner's counsel Paul McDermott that he
could add the phrase ``no drugs'' to his tickets, a message he already
sends out on flyers promoting his events.

Samojlenko said the underground parking garage where the rave was held
was one of his ``last options'' for venues.

Because of ``the media blitz'' against raves many traditional places
were unavailable and he was on the verge of cancelling the event. The
Alliance Ave. address offered a large open space of 65,000 sq. ft.

``I never realized it would get so hot,'' he said. But temperatures
inside soared with an indoor propane barbecue operating and dancers
lying exhausted in pools of water on the floor, the court has been
told. Samojlenko had concerns and requested the barbecue be removed,
but that didn't happen.

Although fireworks were also intended for the night, Samojlenko said
he cancelled those because he was concerned that the ceilings were too
low and there was nowhere for the smoke to go.

As one of the founding members of the Toronto Dance Safety Committee,
which includes ravers, police, public health and city hall officials,
Samojlenko helped devise a 14-point rave protocol that was unanimously
adopted on a trial basis by city council last December.

Although not mandatory, Samojlenko said he follows the protocol, for
the most part.

Among the 14 points are fire and building code requirements, density,
security, ambulance staff, sufficient lighting, water, ventilation,
drug education and the use of pay duty police officers.

Samojlenko's lawyer said the promoter has not held a rave in an
underground parking garage since the fatal October event.
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