RAVES TAKE SPOTLIGHT AT FORUM

All-night dance parties called raves have drawn the attention of police,
who say the popular parties lead to curfew violations and drug abuse.

Sunday, panelists at a public forum at the Ramada Inn, 6099 Montana,
debated potential problems with raves and what can be done about curbing
any illegal activities connected with the dances.

Characterized by pulsating "electronica" music, laser-light shows and a
subculture of teen dance-enthusiasts, raves are on the rise in El Paso,
police Sgt. Juan Rojas said.

He said that raves, which sometimes take place in abandoned buildings,
attract minors. But in attending the raves, teens often violate curfew
laws, Rojas said.

"Wake Up, El Paso!," a monthly forum broadcast on community radio station
KXCR-FM (89.5), brought together law-enforcement and community organization
panelists to discuss raves and the partygoers, who often are minors.

Also, panelists discussed concern with illegal drugs such as Ecstasy, which
works like an anti-depressant, causing a euphoric state.

In May, in a raid of an after-hours party at the Roxy Night Club, 201 N.
Stanton, police said they found hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD in
addition to alcohol, which they said was being sold to minors.

"The primary problem is these parties are sophisticated," County Sheriff's
Sgt. Fernie Esparza. "The drugs are disguised."

Esparza said at the parties, some ravegoers disguise drugs using bottles of
water or lollipops.

Panelist Marisol Fernandez, 19, regularly attends raves and said what
Esparza called "disguises" -- baby pacifiers and candy necklaces -- are
popular fashion trends at the parties.

Wearing wide-legged jeans, candy-pink sneakers and spiked pigtails,
Fernandez said the rave scene is a lifestyle defined by electronic music
known as techno.

"I like the music," she said. "At the raves, you can be yourself. If you
want to dress like Alice in Wonderland, you can. And nobody cares.

"It's only a small percentage of people who use the drugs," she said.

For more information: www.kxcr.org