Raves: L.A. County Leader Mike Antonovich Wants to Pull Plug on How-to-Take-Ecstasy Education Fliers

By Dennis Romero Wed., Feb. 9 2011 at 9:09 AM

Raver down at Electric Daisy Carnival.

After LA Weekly brought them to light, an L.A. County leader has asked its Department of Public Heath to stop distributing fliers that essentially teach young people how to trip on ecstasy more safely.

The fliers tell ravers to "aim low (dose AND frequency) ... take frequent breaks ... [and] stay hydrated."

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich has "directed" the department not to distributed the information because he says it's contrary to a zero-tolerance drug police passed by the Board of Supervisors in 2010. In fact ...

... that vote was a response to the very death -- that of ecstasy overdose victim Sasha Rodriguez, who was 15 -- that inspired Public Health to implement its "harm reduction" education.

Antonovich:

"Counseling young people on the use of the illegal drug Ecstasy is stupid and contrary to Los Angeles County's zero-tolerance policy on drugs. In August, 2010, the Board of Supervisor passed the zero-tolerance policy on drugs after a 15-year old child died after ingesting Ecstasy at a rave party at the Coliseum."

Los Angeles County

Your tax dollars at work: How to take ecstasy properly.

Rodriguez died after she attended June's Electric Daisy Carnival, which saw about 60 mostly drug-related arrests, more than 200 medical emergencies and chaotic conditions as crowds jumped over barriers and crushed and injured some party-goers.

Because EDC, which saw about 160,000 people, was held at the publicly owned L.A. Coliseum, officials responded by attempting to make the events safer with an 18-and-up policy, more security and "harm-reduction" education regarding ecstasy.

The measures haven't seemed to work: The New Year's Eve party Together As One at sister venue the L.A. Sports Arena saw a mass of people at the doors, causing authorities to forgo ID checks.

But that hasn't stopped the Coliseum Commission from letting the raves go on.

One of the public employees in charge of security and other facets at both events was Todd DeStefano.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday night that the Coliseum's lead event manager, DeStefano, has also been working for EDC's promoter, even as the promoter had come before his bosses more than once for approval of the 2011 version of the party.

Tags:

Coliseum Commission, ecstasy, EDC, Electric Daisy Carnival, Los Angeles County, Mike Antonovich, Public Health, raves

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blah

I find this absolutely retarded. No matter what people will still get a hold of the drugs. This isn't going to stop people from getting their hands on them. If they were to pull the plug on information like this including fliers(if so eventually the internet too) then people using the drug would not be informed of the dangers and what to do if something happens. This will not help the government with their war on drugs, maybe just sadly make the ignorant voters think so.

Ava

I would like some references for the picture you posted. I know of a particular individual (who I wont name, but will if necessary) that has been spreading pictures like that one (and that exact picture) claiming its from raves or its raver, but there is no proof as to when/where the picture was. Or better yet any explanation as to the circumstances of that individuals situation. Looks like he punched to me, maybe he did, maybe he deserved it. Who knows? Do you? Or is it just propaganda? I

RollFace

i liKes to Do drugz aT de rAvE's

RAVEPLUR

melting

PLUR

Dylanp123

Wonderful. Let's just pretend that people don't do drugs and maybe the problem will go away.

la_weakly

Harm reduction is the new safe sex discussion.

Jimmy James

When I went to college, my university took great lengths to educate us incoming freshman on the dangers of drinking alcohol, what the signs of excessive alcohol drinking were, and steps you could do to drink a safer manner, such as eating between drinks or waiting an hour between drinks. But wait... we we're all 18-19 years old! Oh my God! They were teaching us to do something illegal! Dennis Romero, will somebody PLEASE think of the CHILDREN?!?