City considers imposing moratorium on raves

Edmonton city councillors are looking at placing a moratorium on raves in established venues because of the burden patrons create on emergency medical services.

A community and public services committee report recommends an immediate moratorium on the electronic music dance parties because of wide use of drugs that has seen dozens of people rushed to hospital in past years.

The recommendation comes at the suggestion of the police, said Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen.

“It’s the number of medical incidents … council has a duty of care to its residents and if there are one or two incidents then we would have to accept that that is potentially the risk of a younger audience getting together and partying,” McKeen. “But it’s the number of medical events, the sexual assaults, the date rape drug is being found … so it’s pretty hard to defend those numbers.”

The report said overdoses begin by about 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. and, as the evening progresses, the overdoses become more pronounced. The predominant drugs consumed are ecstasy, ketamine, cocaine and the date-rape drug GHB.

In the most recent event, 18 patients were treated on the scene for drug-related illnesses and 11 others were transported to hospital.

So far this year, of 5,500 people who attended raves at the Shaw Conference Centre, 18 people were given medical help. In 2017, of the 29,362 who attended six raves at the Shaw, 84 people received medical treatment and 26 were taken to hospital. In 2016, 78 people at seven raves received medical treatment of 31,939 who attended.