After LA Weekly brought them to light, an L.A. County leader has asked its Department of Public Heath to stop distributing fliers that essentially teach young people how to trip on ecstasy more safely.

The fliers tell ravers to “aim low (dose AND frequency) … take frequent breaks … [and] stay hydrated.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich has “directed” the department not to distributed the information because he says it's contrary to a zero-tolerance drug police passed by the Board of Supervisors in 2010. In fact …

… that vote was a response to the very death — that of ecstasy overdose victim Sasha Rodriguez, who was 15 — that inspired Public Health to implement its “harm reduction” education.

Antonovich:

“Counseling young people on the use of the illegal drug Ecstasy is stupid and contrary to Los Angeles County's zero-tolerance policy on drugs. In August, 2010, the Board of Supervisor passed the zero-tolerance policy on drugs after a 15-year old child died after ingesting Ecstasy at a rave party at the Coliseum.”

Your tax dollars at work: How to take ecstasy properly.; Credit: Los Angeles County

Your tax dollars at work: How to take ecstasy properly.; Credit: Los Angeles County

Rodriguez died after she attended June's Electric Daisy Carnival, which saw about 60 mostly drug-related arrests, more than 200 medical emergencies and chaotic conditions as crowds jumped over barriers and crushed and injured some party-goers.

Because EDC, which saw about 160,000 people, was held at the publicly owned L.A. Coliseum, officials responded by attempting to make the events safer with an 18-and-up policy, more security and “harm-reduction” education regarding ecstasy.

The measures haven't seemed to work: The New Year's Eve party Together As One at sister venue the L.A. Sports Arena saw a mass of people at the doors, causing authorities to forgo ID checks.

But that hasn't stopped the Coliseum Commission from letting the raves go on.

One of the public employees in charge of security and other facets at both events was Todd DeStefano.

The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday night that the Coliseum's lead event manager, DeStefano, has also been working for EDC's promoter, even as the promoter had come before his bosses more than once for approval of the 2011 version of the party.

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