AU - 2 dead, 3 critically ill after suspected overdoses at Defqon.1 festival in Sydney, 15 Sept.2018

[EuTuCroquet?]

bbm

Two dead and three critically ill after suspected overdoses at Defqon.1 festival in Sydney

The New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has vowed to stop the Sydney music festival Defqon.1 after two young people died and another three were left fighting for their lives after multiple suspected overdoses.

A man, 23, and a woman, 21, collapsed at the festival in Castlereagh about 9pm on Saturday and died a short time later in nearby Nepean hospital, police said on Sunday.

The three who are critically ill include a Jamisontown woman, 26, who is at Nepean hospital, and an Artarmon man, 19, who was flown to Westmead hospital and is in intensive care. Another man is in a critical condition at Liverpool hospital.

Police said another 13 people went to hospital for drug-related issues while about 700 people sought assistance from medical staff at the festival.​

...

The police urge anyone with information about this incident to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.​

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.abc.net.au/article/10252848

Ms Berejiklian described the deaths as "absolutely tragic" and vowed to ban the event.

"I never want to see this event held in Sydney or New South Wales ever again — we will do everything we can to shut this down," she said.

"I understand there were some deaths in the past, but to have at least two on one night when every assurance was given to those attending that it was a safe event — clearly it wasn't when so many people have succumbed."

Ms Berejuklian denied cancelling the event would force it and others to go underground, and said pill-testing at music events was "not a solution".​

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

Two dead, two critical and 700 hurt after taking drugs at festival

The festival, an annual event held in Australia since 2009, has been organised by Q-Dance Australia, part of the Dutch event organiser Q-Dance.

On Sunday, the organisers said they were "deeply saddened" by the deaths.

"We are disappointed at the number of reported drug-related incidents, we have a zero-tolerance policy in relation to drug use at the festival," Defqon.1 said in a statement published by the Sydney Morning Herald.​

 

[Jennifer17]

I can't think of any solution to this. Why do people put stuff in their bodies when they have no idea what it contains?

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

Mass ODs — mass poisionings, to use medical terminology — who tf would knowingly do something like that to hundreds and hundreds of people, mostly young adults?

It’s very nearly terroristic, imo. It’s definitly terrifying. Recreational drug use also carries a stigma with it, as if the victims “should have known better.”

But if their buddies bought a capsule from a friend, who bought a few capsules from a teenage pal, who bought a few capsules from a guy they bought some from before, who bought from his usual or second-choice seller, who bought from so-and-so the last time they went to the festival ...

The true “source” — whoever created this deadly shyte in massive batches — ends up being protected by myriad false fronts, so to speak.

From where did this bunk, deadly, intentionally made poison originate? Who made it? And effing why?

Two teens who carried 120 capsules into the festival didn’t cause *more than 700 people* to seek medical treatment. The math just doesn’t add up.

The place was flooded with “bad drugs.”

And if the organizers really cared about enforcing their “strict” drug-free rule, they’d have more sercurity and health resources available on-site.

And if they truly care about their drug-free message, they’d immediately shutter this festival till further notice, when more safety/preventative measures could be installed. IMO.

Instead they just pay lip service to their so-called drug prohibition... BECAUSE IT REDUCES THEIR LIABILITY and legal culpability. Again, moo.

The festival and festivals like it would die without drug culture.

To be very clear, I’m not accusing everyone of being druggies or anything like that. These events are not human cesspools by any stretch. Even straight-edge festival-goers acknowledge that recreational drug culture drives the popularity of many of these events.

All moo, obvs.

Two dead and hundreds treated after 'drug overdoses' at music festival | Metro News

Ten people have been charged with drug supply offences, including two teenagers who allegedly carried 120 capsules to the festival, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

​

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

I can't think of any solution to this. Why do people put stuff in their bodies when they have no idea what it contains?

You have a point. But there’s a much bigger question here, imo.

Why do people create massive batches of obviously toxic poison, label it as something it’s not, and then sell it to naïve, trusting victims knowing it might likely kill them?

Prosecute the snake-oil salesmen willfully concocting this poison, whatever it is. And I am curious to know what those drugs really were.

So frightening.

 

[flute4peace]

This does not sound like an event I would want to go to.

 

[Jennifer17]

You have a point. But there’s a much bigger question here, imo.

Why do people create massive batches of obviously toxic poison, label it as something it’s not, and then sell it to naïve, trusting victims knowing it might likely kill them?

Prosecute the snake-oil salesmen willfully concocting this poison, whatever it is. And I am curious to know what those drugs really were.

So frightening.

I am curious as to what they were too. I am more curious about why people would take them.
That is not naivety, it is stupidity. This is not the first time that this has happened, although not as much harm to so many people and it is always highly publicised, but still they do it.

 

[flute4peace]

I am curious as to what they were too. I am more curious about why people would take them.
That is not naivety, it is stupidity. This is not the first time that this has happened, although not as much harm to so many people and it is always highly publicised, but still they do it.

This.

 

[Jennifer17]

And Sydney young people are not naive. Especially if they are into recreational drugs.

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

I am curious as to what they were too. I am more curious about why people would take them.
That is not naivety, it is stupidity. This is not the first time that this has happened, although not as much harm to so many people and it is always highly publicised, but still they do it.

Please don’t victim blame on this forum.

I’ve been to dozens of festivals. I can’t imagine what this must have been like — hundreds and hundreds of people seeking help, overwhelming on-site resources, people essentially falling like flies.

There is a sense of trust among a lot of these festival goers. They befriend each other. They see each other at other events. They hit the festival each year. They watch out for each other, even people they don’t know.

That’s what the culture is like, from my experience. They aren’t stupid.

Mass poisionings of this magnitude are not common.

What happened here isn’t some everyday thing.

It just isn’t.

Somebody or some group flooded this festival with bad drugs, whether with an intent to make lots of easy cash and/or to intentionally harm people. Moo

They’ve also infiltrated and betrayed a community of people who often genuinely care about each other.

Again, moo, speaking from my experience here in the US; I’m not familiar with the culture in Australia.

 

[Jennifer17]

Are they still victims if they were colluding in an illegal act?

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

Anyone else here ever had an edible at a festival?

Ever bought “Grandma’s special recipe cookies” or a “cosmic brownie” (home-made!)

Or shared a joint or a bong or a vape?

Or picked up a drink ya haven’t kept your eye on for a few minutes?

Or passed a drink around to share?

Or tried MDMA?

Or even taken what you believed to be adderall or Xanax, given to you by a friend?

Or bummed a ciggie?

Or tried something new with friends you’re close to and trust?

I realize most of the people who answer these questions will be the ones who will unequivocally say no to all of them.

But I suggest being realistic about this before we commence victim-blaming hundreds of people.

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

Are they still victims if they were colluding in an illegal act?

Yes. Of course.

Here’s an easy and obvious example: If a prostitute robs you, you’re still a victim of robbery, because another crime was committed.

If a minor asks someone “of age” to buy them alcohol, but instead the minor’s given Bacardi 151 diluted with rubbing alcohol ...
Yes, of course it’s a whole other crime. Like attempted murder.

 

[Jennifer17]

I would say yes to a third of those questions.

 

[Jennifer17]

Yes. Of course.

Here’s an easy and obvious example: If a prostitute robs you, you’re still a victim of robbery, because another crime was committed.

If a minor asks someone “of age” to buy them alcohol, but instead the minor’s given Bacardi 151 diluted with rubbing alcohol ...
Yes, of course it’s a whole other crime. Like attempted murder.

Lol! The prostitute one would not work here because prostitution is legal and the minor one does not work for me either, just because it is minor.
How about if someone was attacking me and I killed them? Who is the victim?

 

[EuTuCroquet?]

Lol! The prostitute one would not work here because prostitution is legal and the minor one does not work for me either, just because it is minor.
How about if someone was attacking me and I killed them? Who is the victim?

Let me clarify.

Yeah, the example is much easier to understand in the US.

Alcohol is illegal for people under age 21 in the US. So, a 22-year-old adult is breaking the law by buying it for someone under 21, even if the “underage” recipient is age 18. And 18 is a legal adult in the US.

So just because two (otherwise legal adults, mind you) collude to break the law, it doesn’t give anyone free reign to break whatever other laws or commit other crimes as they please.

It isn’t a free pass.

The 22-year-old is guilty of a different, whole other crime (like attempted murder) if he instead gives the 18-year-old Bacardi 151 mixed with rubbing alcohol.

Your example of self defense is irrelevant.

Your question was whether someone who colluded in a crime can actually also be a victim of a crime.

The answer is yes. Clearly.

 

[flute4peace]

Anyone else here ever had an edible at a festival?

Ever bought “Grandma’s special recipe cookies” or a “cosmic brownie” (home-made!)

Or shared a joint or a bong or a vape?

Or picked up a drink ya haven’t kept your eye on for a few minutes?

Or passed a drink around to share?

Or tried MDMA?

Or even taken what you believed to be adderall or Xanax, given to you by a friend?

Or bummed a ciggie?

Or tried something new with friends you’re close to and trust?

I realize most of the people who answer these questions will be the ones who will unequivocally say no to all of them.

But I suggest being realistic about this before we commence victim-blaming hundreds of people.

No to all.

I’m not intending to sound as if I’m victim blaming, as much as I am stating the reality of what happened. The situation is tragic & heartbreaking and if it was an intentional criminal act it should be prosecuted fully. BUT there is a certain amount of responsibility that also lies with the victims. That’s just a fact of the situation. They knowingly participated in a dangerous & illegal act. Did they expect the tragic outcome? Of course not. Did they deserve the tragic outcome? Certainly not!! Do I judge them for their unfortunate choice? Nope not at all. I feel compassion toward them and their families.

 

[Brubeck]

Pulp sang of this sort of chance taken ages ago now.

 

[evenadams]

'Absolutely tragic': Premier vows to shut festival down after two overdose deaths

Police said as many as 700 people sought medical assistance during the Defqon.1 music festival in Penrith, attended by about 30,000.

Police conducted 355 searches and allegedly found 69 people with illicit substances.

A 26-year-old man from Albury died at the same event in 2015, as did a 23-year-old two years before that.