Pubdate: Tue, 09 Apr 2002
Source: Lawrence Journal-World (KS)
Copyright: 2002 The Lawrence Journal-World
Contact: http://www.ljworld.com/site/submit_letter
Website: http://www.ljworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1075
Author: Dave Ranney

KBI AGENT WARNS OF ECSTASY ACCEPTANCE IN RAVE CULTURE

Bill Rowland doesn't have anything against "raves," the phenomenon of young 
people gathering for hours of dancing to loud electronic music on a cramped 
dance floor equipped with a light show worthy of "Star Wars."

"They're great," he said. "I'd go to them every weekend if my wife would 
let me, but she won't."

But Rowland, a senior agent with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, does 
have a problem with the drugs - Ecstasy, mostly - and the drug dealing that 
appear to be an accepted part of rave culture.

Rowland, who's based in Wichita, said agents there know of "two of three 
raves going on every weekend." As yet, he said, they don't appear to be as 
popular in Lawrence.

At a rave in a college town, Rowland guessed, half the participants would 
be on Ecstasy, a drug that causes the user to feel relaxed, euphoric and 
ultra-sensitive to sensory stimulation.

"It's like LSD, but without the hallucinations," Rowland said.

Rowland was a featured speaker Monday at the annual Kansas Conference on 
Social Welfare at the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive. The conference 
continues today with various workshops planned, including one about the 
therapeutic value of Swedish massage. About 250 participants attended 
Monday conference sessions.

It's not unusual for someone on Ecstasy to dance nonstop for six hours, 
Rowland said. And because of the heightened sensitivity, users often line 
up in front of 6-foot-tall speakers at a rave to take full advantage of the 
vibrations.

"On Ecstasy, your senses skyrocket," he said. "They're 10 times normal, so 
the vibrations from the speaker, to the person who's using, feel like a 
full-body massage."

Though perfectly legal, Mentholatum, he said, is proving popular among 
Ecstasy users because of its cooling sensation. It can be found in some 
types of lip balms or migraine pads. Rowland said glow sticks also are popular.

Besides being illegal, Ecstasy has been linked to heart attacks, seizures 
and brain damage.

Rowland said KBI undercover agents often go to raves to gather evidence 
against suspected drug dealers.

Lt. Kathy Tate, spokeswoman for the Douglas County Sheriff's Department, 
said "We're alert to (Ecstasy) being out there, and we would encourage 
anyone with information about it to call the sheriff's department at 
841-0007 or the tip hot line, which is 843-TIPS."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens