"Drug dealers have discovered that all-night raves are just the place to push their poison," Grassley said. "This legislation gives law enforcement officials the tools they need to shut down rave operators and promoters who use raves as a cover to sell illegal drugs."
The Reducing America's Vulnerability to Ecstasy Act or RAVE Act would expand an existing law that allows the closure and prosecution of crack house operators to raves and rave promoters. The legislation would help U.S. Attorneys shut down raves and prosecute rave promoters or location owners who knowingly and intentionally use space for an event where drugs will be manufactured, stored, distributed or used.
Grassley, who is co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, said that the legislation is a result of information gathered during a series of hearings by the caucus on the use and effects of club drugs like Ecstasy.
At the hearings, senators heard stories of the widespread availability and use of Ecstasy at raves. The drug's side effects include raised heart rate and severe dehydration, a condition that is exacerbated by the high levels of physical exertion that happens at the all-night dance parties. Grassley said Ecstasy users must constantly drink water in order to cool off, a need that rave promoters take advantage of by charging exorbitant fees for bottles of water.
Long-term effects of Ecstasy use include depression, paranoia and confusion. In some cases Ecstasy causes a user's body to overheat and can lead to death.
"Many young people perceive Ecstasy as a trendy, recreational drug that won't do any harm," Grassley said. "Unfortunately, Ecstasy's damage on individual lives is all too real."
Grassley said that the legislation will not eliminate all raves. "Rave promoters and sponsors who actually operate their events as they are so often advertised ? as places for people to come and dance in a safe, alcohol-free environment ? have nothing to fear from this law," he said.