N.C. Raves: Violent overdose
What is a rave? : Violent overdose (6 of 10)

 

Image from the photo story  
Related story: Drugs, media, and the law  

 

Drug-related incidents and overdoses aren't uncommon at raves. This partygoer, apparently overdosing, had to be wrestled to the ground and taken away in restraints. MORE
Previous Image  
Next Image  


Zoom in (opens new window)
Copyright ©1998 Jim Webb. All rights reserved.


Many perceive drug use, addiction, and overdose as increasing among ravegoers -- especially among those using highly habit-forming drugs like crystal methamphetamine. Rave organizers have responded by tightening security and hiring off-duty police officers, but they can't stop all drug use.

Jen Grossman, a partygoer from Chapel Hill, is tired of seeing ravegoing friends addicted to drugs. "The amount of drugs they do is incredible," she says. "It's looked at as cool, when it's really a whole bunch of kids with nothing better to do. The people I hang out with now are there for the music."

Todd Morman, a raver from Raleigh, agrees. "There are people in the rave scene that do drugs in an idiotic, stupid way," he says. "[It] kills them, fucks them up, gets them arrested, and hurts the scene because the cops come every time there's a rave because they heard there are going to be drugs there." TOP