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InterACTion is an anonymous community blog.  Each month we offer up a new "hot button" topic for discussion.  We're interested in what you think.  Add your views.  Read what others think.  No registration required.   Thanks for your participation and readership! InterACTion is a program of Gay Men's Outreach at the AIDS Committee of Toronto.InterACTion is generously hosted by GayGuideToronto.com."

	One should always be mindful of who you are helping to "hook-up" drugs for... no matter the venue. Often someone you don't know comes up on the dancefloor to ask where they might find some pills or score some coke. And you may point them to someone... but be careful... exchanging money or even passing drugs from one person to another can be considred trafficking which will get you a stiffer penalty than simple possession. The same holds true outside of the clubs. Many of us have swung by dealers place to pick-up before the weekend... and often we grab for others while we are there... 3 pills and a vial of K (John), 2 pills and a gram of coke (Dave), 2 pills and 2 vials of G (Mark), 6 pills 2 vials and 2 baggies (Rob and friends)... Suddenly you're a walking pharmacy and could be in for a lot more trouble if you were stopped... and increasingly, in Toronto, and around the gaybourhood (51 Division) there has been a big spike in the number of street level arrests... posted on: 18th August 2008 posted by: This is how we party...

	Some great discussion here…thanks for bringing forward the importance of being mindful of your stash no matter where you are and again, the really great strategy of only having as much substance as you need for the night. Right now is definitely a good time for greater vigilance at the clubs. Both ACT and TRIP outreach workers have held off outreach at CZ as staff where also being harassed, but we’re hopeful at this point for return to the club soon! Party safe fellas! posted on: 14th August 2008 posted by: Gay Men's Education Team

	undercover police are inevitable no matter at what venue you choose to party... thankfully as CZ'er says, it is slowly getting back to its old self - you really cannot beat the beats at CZ! Everybody knew that at some point the moral majority was gonna clamp down... it was idiotic though nonetheless how it was done...has this changed how I party? Yes and no.... I am more aware of my surroundings.. I am more cautious about random people and probing questions. I am more discreet in when I choose to partake. Dance as if there is no tomorrow and you will have yourself a ball regardless of whom is watching! posted on: 12th August 2008 posted by: tornadopop

	we should be clear: the zone was the hardest hit by police raids (and i won't get into the brutality and idiocy of those raids here in this post), but other clubs (including the new bassmint and footwork) have also had drug busts and LOTS of undercover activity of late -- in the end, i think its important to remember that when we party we ARE breaking the law -- carrying more than one would need DOES make it look like you are a dealer (which is dealt with far harsher in our courts than an end user) -- the zone may not be back to its fully rockin' self, but its getting there -- and thank god it is -- it has the BEST house music in the city (perhaps even the country with stereo gutted) -- hope to see you all on the dancefloor soon! posted on: 11th August 2008 posted by: CZer STILL

	Thanks SharedStrength for offering some great tips on avoiding unwanted trouble with what's been going on at Comfort Zone (CZ) as well as sharing some great harm reduction strategies. We'd like to reinforce the usefulness of bringing out with you only as much substance as you need - before getting high, to avoid overdose-related trouble. With regards to CZ in particular and the need to be more discreet with drug-taking, has anyone come up with other strategies for going out in light of police attention on the club? Do guys still feel safe going to CZ, or have the raids been pushing the party somewhere else? posted on: 5th August 2008 posted by: Gay Men's Education Team

	I have been to the CZ several times since the raids. My risk-reduction strategy was to take my pill before entering the club -- and then to have nothing else on my person that I could get arrested for. My buddy and I just walked around the block first and took it when no one was looking. That wouldn't help if you want/need to take more than one, or if you are using something that you need to take multiple bumps of (ie, a drug where it would not be safe to do it all at once). In those cases, maybe you want to ensure you have brought only as much as you realistically need (always a good idea anyway) and have it somewhere on your person that is discreet but accessible (ie, maybe a hidden pocket that wouldn't be discovered and searched, but still one that you can get the drug out, use it and put it back away as quickly as possible). posted on: 30th July 2008 posted by: sharedStrength

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