Down with E!

Rollin' and Ravin'

Ecstasy has become synonymous with raves

Ecstasy= MDMA (usually)

Rave= dance parties with loud techno music

Rave Origins in Europe

1980s- Electronic Dance Music is played at early raves called Acid House PartiesPrimarily London-based youth movement but spreads throughout Europe

Rave Origins in U.S.

Rave culture filters from Europe from visiting DJsFollowed the Disco era and incorporated love of dance music and hedonism, however, attempted to stay underground

Frankie Bones is often credited for the major expansion of raves in

America

Thatcher & Reagan erasMany teens and and young adults in the late 1980s and early 1990s responded to cultural tension by participating in raves

Raves’ significance as a culture phenomenon

Late 1990s- raves peak in the United States Viewed as social problem that needs to be controlled results in acts of regulation

Ecstasy Anti-Proliferation Act of 2000 Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act of 2003

Cultural Elements of Raves

Ethos Organization

Identity Markers Norms & Behaviors

Varieties of Raves

Rave-club culture continuum

Authentic Raves <--------------->Commerical club events

Underground parties> Corporate Raves>Local Raves>Music Festivals> Massive One-offs

Underground PartiesEthos: strong PLUR & strong progressive politicsOrganization: grassroots, underground marketing, unlicensed venues, transport sound and light show, after hoursIdentity Markers: classic fashion Norms & Behaviors: lots of dancing and music appreciation, some drug use and DJ worshiping

Corporate RavesEthos- Moderate PLUR & progressive politicsOrganization- massive crowds, musical diversity by area, numerous rotating DJs, after hoursIdentity Markers- Classic fashion, lots of propsNorms & Behaviors- Strong dancing, music appreciation, drug use, and DJ worshipping

Local RavesEthos- strong PLUR and progressive politicsOrganization- some underground marketing, transport sound and light show equipmentIdentity Markers- classic fashion, few propsNorms and Behaviors- Strong music appreciation, some dancing and drug use, modest DJ worshipping

Music FestivalsEthos- modest PLUR and progressive politicsOrganization- transport sound and light show equipment, massive crowds, musical diversity by area, numerous rotating DJsIdentity Markers- Classic fashion, lots of propsNorms & Behaviors- Strong dancing and drug use, some music appreciation and DJ worshipping

Massive One-offs

Ethos- moderate PLUR, modest progressive politicsOrganization- heavily professional and commercialIdentity Markers- classic fashion but variesNorms and Behaviors- Strong music appreciation, modest dancing, drug use, and DJ worshipping

Super Safety Fun Tip

Mind where

you trip

You are in a vulnerable state both mentally and physically

If you are going to trip at a rave it is best not to be a virgin

To both Raves and taking “E”

Super Safety Fun Tip

Chill outIf a club has a "chill out" room use it even if your feeling "ok" both your body and your brain will thank you

you're more likely to have sex both unprotected and with someone you normally wouldn't

have people there you can trust

Types of Ecstasy

- Ecstasy comes in a multitude of colors, shapes, and sizes. Different stamps signify different brands. - Brands are supposed to help the user know what they are buying, but they change rapidly over the months and the stamp can be easily reproduced

- Mitsubishi, for example, is considered an old brand. A search for it on one of many ecstasy testing sites returns 43 results.

MDMA content

- Due to it's illegality, the purity of the substance is rarely known to the user - it's infamous for its impurity. - An average pill contains between 60 and 120mg of MDMA, but some pills sold as E don't contain MDMA at all. - According to ecstasy data.org: MDMA only: 33.1% MDMA and non-inert substance: 20.4% No MDMA: 46.4% - Effects of MDMA tend to last less than 4 hours, but pills containing additives will often be different

Impurity

- E is often mixed with other things (speed, caffeine, ephedrine, or ketamine); especially amphetamines. - As a result, some organizations have made screening kits available, which help publicize both good and bad pills - Some pills contain para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), which is often lethal. At low doses, it can have effects similar to Ecstasy. But at higher doses, it can lead to coma and death.- MDA and MDEA are similar to ecstasy. MDA lasts twice and long (8-12 hours) and is more like amphetamines. MDEA lasts 3-6 hours and is closer to MDMA in effect.

Impurity...on purpose

- Some users purposefully buy impure Ecstasy tablets.

- For instance: - "chocolate chip cookies": MDMA combined with heroin or methadone - "diamonds": one of several names for MDMA and amphetamines - "domex" : PCP and MDMA - "dopey" : MDMA and depressant - "double stacked" : pill of supposed double potency - "flower" : MDMA with mushrooms - "gum" : opium and MDMA - Almost infinite possibilities...

Prices

- It costs as little as 25-50 cents to make- Pills can be bought for as low as $10 a pill and as high as $40, depending on location bought

- E can be bought in bulk for much cheaper; as little as $3 a pill

Super Safety Fun Tip

KNOW YOUR

DEALER

You know what you're buying contains MDMA

Better chances of getting something that won't kill you/send you to the hospital

Know what your getting into

Super Safety Fun Tip

Check your bank

account

“E” is expensive and habit forming Raves can also cost a lot as well

Make sure you can afford it and have room in the budget

Parental Perceptions

- raves are dangerous because it promotes drug use among young irresponsible adults. - raves promote promiscuous behaviors, loud music and late night partying - ecstasy puts holes in the brain (not actually true)

Parental Perceptions cont.- “I feel the permissive atmosphere is not helpful for teens who are desperately trying to figure out how independent they are ready to be while they are sorting out safe and appropriate boundaries for themselves. Some "failing" or natural consequences for their mistakes is critical for growth but some mistakes can alter their lives and really jeopardize their future.” - “My daughter seems to be so attracted by them, and wishes to attend one session. She is sixteen. We refuse to believe this is acceptable ... She does not understand why we are reacting that way.” - “I don't think Raves are a good place for most teens to go. Unless your child is unusually self-possesed and sure of their own boundaries and values, I wouldn't recommend allowing them to go.”

Young Adult/Ravers' Perceptions

- raves are fun environments to meet other people, listen to music and dance late into the night - raves are a good place to not be sober - ecstasy enhances the wonderful rave experience

European Raves vs American Raves

- Techno more popular, hence more raves. Clubs play techno vs American clubs that play hip-hop/rap- Rave culture began in London, longer history and exposure to raves in Europe

- Ecstasy is manufactured in Europe, so more readily available and more easily distributed to promote rave culture

Government Regulation- 2000 Toronto: mayor banned raves on city premises due to the death of Allan Ho- starting in the 1990s UK passed laws and increased fees to discourage and make it increasingly difficult for raves to take place- 1995 UK: Leah Betts died from water intoxication rather than ecstasy but media hyped it up, influencing government policy- 2010 LA: Sasha Rodriguez’s death, along with the death of 2 others at a rave a month earlier in northern California, caused city officials to place a temporary ban on Raves at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum due to increasing media attention. Thereafter, Los Angeles police begIn cracking down on rave events that do not have an 18+ age requirement

Super Safety Fun Tip

Gatorade is

better then water

It is very important to stay hydrated while on “E” as your body temperature does increase dramatically esp. dancing in a crowded RaveA common way to die while on “E” is water intoxication1 pint/hr of water/gatorade is good

Super Safety Fun Tip

Don't do weekend

trips

Tripping and raving for extended periods of time can cause brain damage and hearing loss

The longer you trip the worse the withdrawal

References

http://www.thegooddrugsguide.com/ecstasy/basics.htm http://www.ecstasy.org/testing/pma.html http://www.ecstasy.org/testing/purity.html http://www.mdma.net/ecstasy-mdma.html http://www.essortment.com/articles/ecstasy_100011.htm