NCJ Number
180089
Journal
Drugs and Alcohol Review Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 153-161
Editor(s)
John B. Saunders
Date Published
1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper presents qualitative data from a study of 83 people who attended "raves" or dance parties in Perth, Western Australia, to determine their perceptions of the favorable and unfavorable aspects of these events.
Abstract
The data encompass what respondents viewed as the attractions and adverse features of the rave/dance party scene, their views of the place of drug use within the scene, experience in obtaining and providing drugs, and the issue of driving while intoxicated. Non-drug factors such as lighting, music, dancing, the nonviolent atmosphere, sense of social cohesion, and relative lack of predatory male sexual behavior were the major attractions of the scene; respondents noted, however, that these features were enhanced by the effects of "dance" drugs, especially "ecstasy." There were concerns that younger participants were at increased risk of drug-related harm and that this would bring adverse media attention and disrepute to the rave/dance party scene. This study supports the view that "raves" are not "drug supermarkets," as most respondents obtained their drugs many days before the event. A substantial minority of respondents described traveling to or from "raves" with drivers who were drug-affected. Less than half of those who discussed the issue said they considered whether the driver was under the influence of a drug. This is a major concern and has implications for policing practices, peer education, and rave-related materials. 14 references