Down with E!

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 Parties
Primarily London-based youth
movement but spreads throughout
Europe
Rave Origins in U.S.
Rave culture filters from Europe from
visiting DJs
Followed 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 eras
Many 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 Parties
Ethos: strong PLUR & strong progressive
politics
Organization: grassroots, underground
marketing, unlicensed venues, transport sound
and light show, after hours
Identity Markers: classic fashion
Norms & Behaviors: lots of dancing and music
appreciation, some drug use and DJ
worshiping
Corporate Raves
Ethos- Moderate PLUR & progressive politics
Organization- massive crowds, musical
diversity by area, numerous rotating DJs,
after hours
Identity Markers- Classic fashion, lots of
props
Norms & Behaviors- Strong dancing, music
appreciation, drug use, and DJ worshipping
Local Raves
Ethos- strong PLUR and progressive
politics
Organization- some underground
marketing, transport sound and light show
equipment
Identity Markers- classic fashion, few props
Norms and Behaviors- Strong music
appreciation, some dancing and drug use,
modest DJ worshipping
Music Festivals
Ethos- modest PLUR and progressive politics
Organization- transport sound and light show
equipment, massive crowds, musical diversity
by area, numerous rotating DJs
Identity Markers- Classic fashion, lots of
props
Norms & Behaviors- Strong dancing and drug
use, some music appreciation and DJ
worshipping
Massive One-offs
Ethos- moderate PLUR, modest
progressive politics
Organization- heavily professional and
commercial
Identity Markers- classic fashion but
varies
Norms 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 out
If 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
Gatorad
e is
better
then
It is very important to stay
hydrated while on “E” as
your body temperature
does increase
dramatically esp. dancing
in a crowded Rave
A common way to die
while on “E” is water
intoxication
1 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