Typical E Users Are 14-30, White and Wear Baggy Trousers

A US court heard this week that people drinking ice water and dancing "strangely" to electronic music in clubs are likely to be ecstasy users.
Government lawyers involved in the crack-house case against Club La Vela promoters, also claimed typical users are whites aged between 14 and 30 who dress in baggy pants (trousers) and brightly coloured shirts. They're also allegedly sensitive to touch, the court heard, with some La Vela customers seen apparently "rubbing each other".

The case is the latest attempt by US authorities to make those involved in electronic music and club culture directly responsible for ecstasy use, even if they have no connection whatsoever with its supply. If the La Vela promoters are convicted they face 20 years in jail and a precedent will be set, putting all US promoters and club owners at risk of the crack house laws. The case coincides with an unprecedented media and police onslaught on electronic music events, which continues to demonise dance culture.

"It's a curious public policy decision to allow events to go on that are nothing more than marketing for designer drugs," State Representative Gregg Underheim told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this week. Underheim, a senior US politician, is also responsible for a new bill making ecstasy possession a felony offence in Milwaukee.

Meanwhile, in Canada this week, a drug specialist cop from the Mounties suggested stopping raves would have no impact on ecstasy use at all.

"People are saying if you eliminate the rave, you eliminate the problem. That's not true," Scott Rintoul from the RCMP told the Vancouver Courier.

"These drugs are everywhere, the drugs are in the nightclubs and at house parties and you can't shut them down." The officer's comments appeared in an article about moves by Vancouver authorities to allow ecstasy testing in clubs. Councillor Sandy McCormick is reportedly challenging the police policy of not allowing ecstasy testing, to reduce the health risks faced by users.

http://www.jsonline.com/

http://www.vancourier.com

http://www.newsherald.com/articles/2001/11/06/lo110601b.htm (News Herald Club Lavela Article in full)

http://www.emdef.org (help save US dance culture)
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