Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jul 2001
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jason Tchir
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raves.htm (Raves)

AGE LIMIT FOR RAVES NO HELP: LAWYER

Banning youths from raves will drive them to underground events and
write a "recipe for disaster," says the lawyer who heads up the Toronto
Dance Safe committee.

"If kids are forced to illegal events, what happens to some poor kid who
takes too many pills? Will the promoter call paramedics and risk being
charged?" asked lawyer Will Chang. "It's a recipe for disaster."

CONVULSIONS

Daniel Engson, 16, died Sunday, a few hours after he was seen taking
pills -- possibly Ecstasy -- at a downtown rave.

The day after his death, his grieving mother Annie Engson, tearfully
told The Toronto Sun that teens should be barred from the dance events.

Daniel's cousin Gerard, 18, said the teen bought pills inside the rave
- -- held at the Digital nightclub on Mercer St., near King and John Sts.

Daniel began convulsing around 3 a.m., was taken to hospital and died
nine hours later.

AWAITING TESTS

Investigators say the Brampton teen had a high core body temperature --
consistent with Ecstasy -- but can't confirm whether he took drugs until
toxicology testing is complete.

There have been 18 Ecstasy-related deaths in Ontario since 1998 -- five
of those at raves -- said deputy coroner Dr. Bonita Porter.

"These drugs are absolutely not safe," Porter added.

The funeral for Daniel Engson will be Saturday at St. Anne's Catholic
Church in Brampton.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk