Pubdate: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2012 The Edmonton Journal Contact: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n191/a05.html Author: Calvin Lee RAVE BAN WON'T WORK Re: "City should consider rave ban: councillor," the Journal, March 21. Remember prohibition? It still won't work. Reading about the injuries and damages that result from raves is distressing, but a citywide ban on all raves is not the correct response. Making something illegal does not stop people from doing it. When prohibition was in place, things worsened. People smuggled alcohol and paid inflated black-market prices just to get it. Gangs competed for territory. Violent crime saw a dramatic rise. Legislation against drugs, alcohol and, in this case, raves is well-intended, but its goals are unrealistic. Much like a person has the freedom to imbibe alcohol, a person should have the freedom to attend a rave. That person should have enough agency and responsibility to decide whether or not they want to attend a party where many patrons are under the influence. Restricting people from their wants and desires simply does not work. Grant people autonomy over their own bodies. Calvin Lee, Edmonton - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom