RANDY ECONOMY: MY WORLD: STOP THE RAVES: Assemblywoman Fiona Ma Introduces Historic Legislation to Ban Raves in California. Time to support AB 74!

Image by dannyman via Flickr

By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
December 22, 2010
8 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -

Are those wild and deadly Rave Party's about to become a thing of the past here in California?

If San Francisco Assemblywoman Fiona Ma has her way, the plug if about to be pulled on the highly charged and controversial parties that sometimes last for three days at a time and have caused a number of attendees to be arrested on drug charges, and has even resulted in many deaths.

The ultra-progressive Ma, introduced legislation to ban raves in California. Funny, to see a liberal Assemblywoman from San Francisco to be heading up this movement.

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Ravers could be heading to Nevada instead of California

The bill was introduced after recent raves in Los Angeles and Daly City led to deaths, overdoses, and hundreds of arrests. Raves in California are notoriously associated with the use of the drug commonly known as Ecstasy, acid, and speed. Many of the attendees are minors and the events have led to extensive pressure on law enforcement and emergency medical responders.

"Raves foster an environment that threatens the health and safety of our youth," said Assemblywoman Ma. "The introduction of AB 74 is the first step toward eliminating these dangerous events."

AB 74 will prohibit raves on public property and prevent raves on private property unless a business owner has a license to host such an event. "The bill is not intended to impact traditional music concerts and sporting events. AB 74 is about cracking down on raves that harbor drug use and lead to teenage deaths."

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma: Stopping the Ravers

In June of 2010, a 15-year-old girl died of a drug overdose and an estimated 120 people were sent to the hospital after a rave that was held at the publically owned Los Angeles Coliseum. In May of 2010, two people died after overdosing at a rave held at the state-owned Cow Palace in Daly City and additional 5 attendees were hospitalized in critical condition. An additional 68 adults and 5 juveniles were arrested on drug-related charges.

Attendance at raves can range from 16,000 to 185,000 people, which is simply unmanageable. "Raves are a state-wide problem and require a state-wide approach," said Assemblywoman Ma. "It's time that the legislature says enough is enough and provide law enforcement with the tools to shut down events that have displayed a pattern of fostering youth drug use."

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), many young adults and teenagers attending raves and all-night dance parties are using so-called "club drugs." These drugs include MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine, and LSD. The NIDA and other scientific studies demonstrate that such drugs can pose serious health risks including death, coma, amnesia, addiction, physical dependency, and long term neurotoxic, behavioral, and cognitive problems.

The bill will be eligible for a hearing in Committee next month. AB 74 is the first bill introduced by Assemblywoman Ma in the 2011-2012 Legislative Session. Assemblywoman Ma, who serves as the Speaker pro Tempore of Assembly, represents Daly City where the Cow Palace is located.

I want to congratulate Fiona Ma for having the will and foresight and courage to carry this law.

The time has come. We need to end these events once and for all. I support the paasage of AB 74.