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Glow Sticks OK: US Judge Backs Rave Paraphernalia

Author: Jonty Adderley
Sunday, February 10, 2002
A Federal US judge has thrown out DEA attempts to brand glow sticks and other rave paraphernalia as evidence of drug use, and concluded that their efforts represented a violation of innocent peoples' civil rights. The DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) now face a permanent block on their glow stick anti-drug strategy in what civil liberties campaigners the ACLU are claiming is a "major victory" for free speech rights.

"Today's decision should send a message to government that the way to combat illegal substance abuse is not through intimidation and nonsensical laws," said ACLU director Graham Boyd.

"This ruling tells law enforcement agents that if you want to target drug use at raves, you've got to play by the rules. Go after the drug dealers, not the entertainers and dancers and people who are there to enjoy the show."

US District Judge G. Thomas Porteous also noted in his summing up, "there is no conclusive evidence that eliminating the banned items has reduced the amount of ecstasy use at raves."

http://www.aclu.org/issues/drugpolicy/cases/McClure_v_Ashcroft/McClure_v_Ashcroft.html
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