Pubdate: Wed, 10 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, City Hall Bureau CHOW FIGHTS BAN ON RAVES Kids will end up going to underground raves if politicians ban promoters from holding the dances at the CNE, Councillor Olivia Chow warns. City council was to deal today with Mayor Mel Lastman's call to put an end to city-sanctioned raves. "To ban them, to drive them underground, creates dangerous situations," said Chow. "I would much rather keep an eye on them and create a safe venue," said Chow. She called on councillors to separate the issue of drug abuse and dancing. "We need to provide a safe space for people to dance and nab those drug dealers," she said. Police made 47 arrests at two raves held on the city-owned Exhibition grounds. The first on March 25 attracted 13,000 young people while another April 22 drew 8,000. At the two raves police laid 95 drug-related charges and made seizures of Ecstasy, Special K, cocaine, crack, hashish and marijuana. Chow urged politicians to wait for the recommendations from the ongoing Allan Ho inquest before taking any action. Ho died after overdosing on Ecstasy in an underground garage amid 2,500 revellers. "I support the mayor in his concern about raves," said Police Chief Julian Fantino. He said his force is now dealing with underground raves. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake