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Assemblywoman Ma Introduces Historic Legislation to Ban Raves in California
http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a...22AD12PR01.aspx
Immediate Release: December 22, 2010
Contact: Nick Hardeman @ (916) 319-2012
Assemblywoman Ma Introduces Historic Legislation to Ban Raves in California
AB 74 introduced on the heels of recent drug-related tragedies in Los Angeles and the Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO - Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco/San Mateo County) introduced legislation today to ban raves in 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. 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."
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.
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