I would like to find out as much as possible about the "rave" scene. I have a 16 year old daughter
who somehow manages to lie and sneak out to these parties, and has opted to run away from home
rather than give them up.

If these are such wonderful parties, why do they have to be so hush-hush, why do kids have to
sneak out to them, and why do they have to last all night? Aren't there any parties for teens with
music and lights and dancing where parents can feel safe letting their kids go without wondering
if we'll ever see our child again? Without my knowledge, this child has managed to go to raves in
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine.

Maybe there are websites you can direct me to where other parents have the same concerns?

Thank you for any information you can give me.

Concerned Mom.

A RaveSafe volunteer replied:

Hi,

Problably the reason why Raves are so secretive is that in the USA the rave scene is very 'underground' - mainly because dance drugs like Ecstasy are popular and US drug policy has a zero tolerance approach.

It's also very popular here in South Africa amongst the youth, and definitely the peer thing to do. But raves here are now big commercial events.

You might be tempted think "oh my god my daughter is a drug addict" and all is lost.

However, this need not be the case with dance drugs. The redeeming factor is that generally speaking, most of the drugs popular at raves, like MDMA (Ecstasy), are quite easy to back away from once the user gets bored with the scene or whatever. That's not to say that there use is entirely safe either !

True the thrills & sensations of the raves (the dancing, the music, the lights, the friendly people) always gets one coming back for more: and that some people seem to struggle with more that the drugs involved.

RaveSafe understands where the youth is at here: we are not saying don't use the drugs, simply because they are getting that message everywhere else. What we are saying is that IF you are going to use them, make sure you are informed about the different types of drugs, and the dangers thereof.

I can only recommend that you try and open up channels of communication with your daughter, and try and encourage her to make informed decisions (printout some ravesafe material for her, or get her to read the website).

Thanks for the letter & good luck.

(volunteers name withheld on request)

 

-please note opinions expressed above are not necessarly those of RaveSafe-

 

Disclaimer This Guide is provided for informational purposes ONLY. RaveSafe, it's volunteers and its sponsors do not condone or advocate the use of illegal substances. RaveSafe accepts NO responsibility for the way the information in this used, nor for any harm that might occur from the use of the information contained in this document. Although a concerted effort has been made to ensure the validity of the information contained in this document, no guarantees or assurances of accuracy are provided by anyone. Read and act at your own risk.