Pubdate: Fri, 02 Aug 2002
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2002 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Steve Dnistrian, Danny Terwey
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1415/a09.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?155 (Drug Policy Alliance)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?195 (Partnership for a Drug Free America)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raves.htm (Raves)

LAWMAKERS GET THEIR RAVE ACT TOGETHER

For all the reasons outlined in your July 29 commentary, "Ill-Informed Bill 
to Counter Ecstasy Use in Clubs Is Nothing to Rave About," the U.S. Senate 
deserves our utmost support for proposing the Reducing Americans' 
Vulnerability to Ecstasy Act. If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck 
and sounds like a duck, it's probably time to call the game warden.

The proposed RAVE Act would hold landlords liable for allowing housing to 
be used for drug transactions that create long-term community problems. It 
allows prosecution of people who knowingly open, lease, rent, use or 
maintain a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing or using a 
controlled substance. The bill would make it a federal crime to temporarily 
use a place for the purpose of using marijuana or other drugs.

With Ecstasy use among teenagers up 71% over the last three years, doesn't 
it make sense to give law enforcement every tool it needs to deal with this 
problem. The Drug Policy Alliance is not a trade group representing 
landlords or businesspeople. Its real concern is legalizing drugs.

Steve Dnistrian

Executive Vice President

Partnership for a Drug-Free America, New York City

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Thanks for running William McColl's criticisms of the RAVE Act. This 
legislation was written by people wholly ignorant of raves. As a result, it 
is counterproductive and may actually be responsible for future deaths at 
raves, far more than would ever be seen resulting from Ecstasy use.

Danny Terwey

Pacifica, Calif.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom