Federal prosecutors are changing direction in their fight against drugs by turning their attention to the hosts of dance parties known as raves.

On Jan. 13, three men who organized a series of rave parties in New Orleans were charged by a federal grand jury and indicted under a federal "anti-crack house law." The law was passed in 1986 to combat crack cocaine and punish owners or operators of houses used for the making and dealing of drugs.

The decision signals a change in the war against drugs as the federal government changes the focus from those who were dealing or doing club drugs to those who organize parties where they are popular.

Although many raves are thrown in and near large cities, raving and club drugs are not unfamiliar to some Penn State students. Local ravers said there are an average of two to three raves a semester.

In the past, promoters have used Tussey Mountain and "The Spott", a warehouse near Nittany Mall, to as venues for their events. Some students said a few local businesses also hold "mini-raves." The owners could not be reached for comment.

"Raves are parties where pulsating music, special effects and paraphernalia such as pacifiers and glow sticks are used to support highs from club drugs," Eddie Jordan, U.S. attorney and chief prosecutor of the New Orleans case, said in a press release.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), club drugs include MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, Rohypnol, ketamine, methamphetamine and LSD and are being used by young adults at dance parties such as raves or "trances," dance clubs and bars.

Some students approve of the government's handling of the case.

"I think it's a good idea that police are targeting the promotion of drugs such as Ecstasy that even doctors do not know the exact effects of," Melinda Maule (freshman-education) said.

Maule does not know how effective targeting just raves will be.

Club drugs such as Ecstasy and GHB are used and readily available in other places like bars, clubs and fraternities, she said.

Some students think the efforts of drug enforcers to shut down the rave scene are misguided.

Students such as Sean Oppel (junior-integrative arts) said that by comparing raves with crack houses the government is unfairly stereotyping the rave culture.

"If they plan on shutting down raves, they will have to do the same for rock concerts," Oppel said. "For every major rock concert there is the same thing going on."

Oppel also stressed that some raves are valid ventures.

"Some producers are legitimate businessmen," Oppel said. "The production of raves has definitely become a business and like any business there are honest men and some who are deceitful."

Mike White owns Philipsburg-based Quest Services, a drug counseling service. White said education is the best way to combat drugs.

"Prosecutors are going to have a hard time cracking down on it," he said. "Kids are going to do what they want to do. We need to educate them about these drugs that are substantially worse than other drugs."

The three men in New Orleans were indicted as a result of a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Orleans Police Department.

Anyone who uses the word rave to market an event could be inviting federal prosecution, Jordan said in the release.

If convicted, the defendants could face a maximum of up to 20 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine.