Public health flier warning of dangers of Ecstasy at raves to be revised

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is criticizing a county Public Health Department flier warning rave attendees about the dangers of Ecstasy, and has asked the agency to stop distributing it.

The flier was intended to be handed out at future raves at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena. It tells about the effects of Ecstasy overdose and "how to minimize potential harms," including warnings that taking Ecstasy with other substances, especially alcohol, can increase risks. The flier also advises to "aim low" in dose and frequency, because "Ecstasy risks increase with larger doses."

The flier also advises rave attendees to not drive, to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks. It also advises that people "stay away" from Ecstasy, saying that "the only way to completely avoid the risks is to avoid the drug."

DOCUMENT: Read the county public health department flier warning about Ecstasy use at raves

Antonovich said the flier, created after a 15-year-old girl died of an Ecstasy overdose after attending a Coliseum rave last June, did not fit the spirit of the county's anti-drug policy.

"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," Antonovich said in a statement.

According to a statement released by the county Department of Public Health, officials said the flier was intended to address the harmful effects of Ecstasy and provide potentially life-saving information to rave attendees who choose to use the illegal drug. The card was developed out of recommendations of a rave safety task force convened by the county Board of Supervisors.

"The card is funded by electronic music festival promoters, and distribution is intended solely at events for attendees, who should be over the age of 18, per task force guidelines. Along with harm-reduction messaging, this card states Ecstasy use should be avoided," the county health department statement said.

"However, based on feedback from board members and upon further review by the department, Public Health is immediately revising the card to further and more emphatically state that illegal drug use is dangerous," the statement said.

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 -- Rong-Gong Lin II

Comments

[ryan]

For years there have been non-profit organizations in attendance at various raves, testing the legitimacy of the ecstasy. Clearly not in its promotion, but in order to educate. People will do it regardless of the flier, but at least it can aid in the prevention of someone getting hurt.

[Antonia]

I'm torn on this one. Say No to Drugs just doesn't work so I applaud Public Health on the new approach. If it were my child, I would first hope that she wasn't doing the drug, but if so, to have Public Health out there telling her how to stay alive, that, I appreciate. And they do say not to do the drug, first and foremost (yep, good call ;)).

It's a slippery slope, a bit of a risky move on the part of Public Health, but in my opinion a good one. When does gov't ever take risks? Thanks Public Health for your efforts.

I say kudos as it was a terribly bold move for a gov't entity.

[Jack Remington]

Ecstasy is fine if used in moderation. I use it frequently at concerts and have never had a problem.

[Jack Remington]

Ecstasy is fine if used in moderation. I and many, many people I know use it frequently at live music events and have never once had a problem. Just stay hydrated and don't combine it with anything else.

[Dan]

Oh my God... a local government agency is actually smart enough to recognize that you can't prevent drug use but you can help minimize its risks with education? Gotta shut that program down immediately.

[Hakatau]

Zero-tolerance has OBVIOUSLY not worked, Mr. Antonovich, so why stick with a failed policy? Isn't harm prevention the logical and compassionate choice? What is the County's agenda, protecting people or protecting *dogma*?

[TH]

Bravo, actual education v/s puritan values. News flash, the kids will use it regardless, let's tell them facts and maybe save a life.

[Schigolch]

I'm against that sort of thing.

[u know]

And post warnings how cigarettes are dangerous to their health, I'm sure they quit smoking too.

[Le Sheng Liu]

Ah I ran the Bay Area chapter of DanceSafe for years so it was so heartwarming to see LA County taking on harm reduction, but I guess it really was too good to be true. We'll see how this plays out. At least the Public Health Dept is thinking the right way. Too bad they have to deal with the backwards thinking of the rest of the County.

[Natalie]

Gee, good for you Jack, what a guy. Glad to know you are so bored with your life you must take dangerous drugs to get your kicks. Why don't you GROW UP and get the "oh aren't I too cool" pacifier out of your mouth? Then get a grip on yourself!

[kitty]

i have a few of thoes fliers around my house. even my mom thinks its a good idea to have them passed out..
a "zero-tollerance" policy doesnt really help minimize accidents and misuse. people are going to want to try it or do it no matter what so having a flyer with useful information is better than transporting a bunch of people to the hospital. if people are going to use ecstasy, they should know how to use it safely.

[Melissa]

These fliers are a great idea. It's already been established that kids and adults (18+) alike are going to do what they decide to do. The County's old fashioned approach to most concerns we have today needs an update to fit this day and age. They can shove the information of "Don't do drugs because they're illegal" down everyone's throats, but unfortunately, illicit drug use is inevitable. Hopefully the County will pull their heads out of their bums and join us in the year 2011.

I think the Public Health Department had a great start here. I look forward to seeing more of an informative and educational approach from them.

[Will]

Personally I believe this is a step in the right direction. Drugs will never ever be controlled nor removed from the city and their use at events like this will always happen. We have seen it time and time again, where people including city officials, police authority, parents, kids and the general community itself really are all uneducated about whats going on in the "Rave" world.

The biggest problem is people think that these parties is what is to blame when 80% of people that attend buy it from sources outside of the party... Sometimes days and weeks in advance. Do you honestly think people only do drugs like this at Raves? They are doing them at home, friends houses, other public places ect.

All we really have are scared straight programs and all kids are ever taught is "No"

Young people are rebelious and many of them dont even know what they are doing when taking the drug.

A program that is in place to help educate people is what we need. These people will continue to take these drugs and there is nothing we can do. The only next logical step is to show them how harmful it is and educate them on how to be safe when around them.

[Zach]

And this accomplishes WHAT, exactly? I don't think kids are trying to emulate the ubercool Mike Antonovich and I doubt the simple idea that "Drugs are bad, mmKay" escaped them until they found such a flyer. How about we just rename it the Department of Public Wholesomeness, since some parts of Health are obviously bad press?

[tomcat]

This would be brilliant if people didn't freak out about it. Think of it this way: If you child is going to use Ecstasy, wouldn't you want them to have all the possible information as opposed to flying blindly? I know many people who use E at concerts, house parties, and other events. NOT ONCE have I ever seen any of them ever have a single complication. It's all about being informed. Abstinence doesn't work for teen sex and banning information about E will not work either. If anything, it will encourage kids to try it. After all, if one's parents hate something then it must be great!

[Captain Obvious]

Let's be consistent and remove all the warning labels and directions from our prescription and over the counter drugs as well. After all, those things never saved any lives.