A rave without drugs is like a rodeo without horses

A feud is developing between the LA Times and rave promoter Isomniac, Inc., after the Times published an article indicting Insomniac for 14 drug related deaths at its massive rave-style events since 2006. From the article:

According to an analysis of coroners' and law enforcement reports from nine states, most of the deaths were linked to Ecstasy or similar designer drugs -- hallucinogens tightly bound with raves.

Despite warnings of drug risks from law enforcement and health officials, the raves have received the blessing of local governments hungry for the revenue they deliver...

James Penman, the San Bernardino city attorney, said economics should never be a justification for raves...

"The city should have zero tolerance for any activity where drugs are an integral part," Penman said. "A rave without drugs is like a rodeo without horses. They don't happen."

Insomniac is fighting back against the Times' charges by claiming that hundreds of thousands of people come to their events and have a safe and enjoyable time, and that drug related deaths are few and far between. From a Spin article detailing Pasquale Rotella of Insomniac's response:

Instead of taking the report as the sobering indicator of a possible public-health issue, however, Rotella views it as a witch hunt targeting electronic-music fans. In a statement posted to Insomniac's website, Rotella began by praising his events' fans as "the best, most creative fans in the world" before going on the counterattack. "As part of their mission to twist facts to suit their sensational story," he complained, "the LA Times treated the opinions of a few people as gospel, turned everyone who enjoys electronic music events into villains, and ignored anyone that did not agree with their biased opinion..."

To drive home his us-against-the-world point, Rotella has posted a cartoon [above] to his Instagram account that depicts smiling, tutu-clad ravers dancing beneath the words, "PEACE, LOVE, UNITY, RESPECT" -- and a pair of doves bearing, presumably, olive branches -- while a Los Angeles Times reporter paints a picture of rape and mayhem beneath a banner reading, "DANGER, DRUGS, DEATH, GREED."

Another quote from the Spin article:

Ecstasy (a.k.a., MDMA or "Molly") figured frequently in the coroner reports, along with methamphetamine, heroin, alcohol, hydrocodone, GHB, and the hallucinogen "Foxy Meloxy."

Foxy Meloxy? I think they mean "Foxy Methoxy" (5-MeO-DiPT).

Despite name calling and accusations from both sides, the main point still remains valid. Raves are huge revenue generating events that drive local economies, but they also celebrate drug use among young people. Instead of pointing the finger of blame at someone, can't we just make drug use at raves safer and more acceptable? Honestly, millions of people go to raves and do drugs and don't die, but if 14 people die at raves in 7 years this is suddenly an epidemic? You have a better chance of dying from the flu than from taking E at a rave. Just saying.