Following an undercover investigation by local narcotics teams, deputies arrested a 28 year old man who is now facing charges for delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute MDMA, ketamine, and cocaine.

One detail in the sheriff’s report really hits hard: officals made a point to call Randall’s death a suspected drug poisoning rather than an overdose. That phrasing makes a massive difference. An overdose implies someone knowingly took too much of something, while poisoning points directly to a substance being contaminated, mislabeled, or cut with something lethal. With fentanyl and other dangerous adulterants quietly slipping into party supplies everywhere, it’s a terrifying reality of today’s live music scene.

The bass community is built on looking out for each other, and with major gatherings like lost lands just a few weeks away, this hits especially close to home. It’s a painful reminder that the unregulated stuff floating around festival campgrounds is completely unpredicable. We all go to these events to escape, dance, and connect, but that freedom only works if we make getting home safe top priority.

If you or your crew are heading out to anyy shows or camping festivals this year, please take harm reduction seriously.

• Test Everything – Reagent kits and fentanyl test strips are cheap, easy to pack, and save lives. Organizations like DanceSafe have guides on how to use them and sometimes even offer free ones at specific festivals.
• Keep Tabs On Each Other – Don’t let friends wander off alone, check in regularly, and keep everyone hydrated.
• Never Hesitate to Get Medical Help – Medical tents aren’t there to get you in trouble; they’re there to keep you alive. Good Samaritan and medical amnesty polices exist so you can call for help without fearing arrest.
• Carry Narcan It Can Save Lives – Most festivals allow attendees to carry Narcan (naloxone) and some even offer it for free. Carrying a dose takes zero effort and can save a friend or even a strangers life if someone is overdosing.

No drop, no set, and no party is worth losing someone over. Sending love to Zion Randall’s family, friends, and everyone in the scene feeling the weight of this lose. In the meantime, the Bonnaroo community is once again rallying around one of its own. If you’re able, please consider supporting Zion Randall’s family through their fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses. It’s a reminder that while Bonnaroo is a festival, it’s also a family that shows up for each other when it matters most. Support Zion Randall’s Family

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‘We want to make sure that whether you’re a school, a business, a restaurant, no matter where you are, or an office building, you want to have access to this life saving measure.’

-Dr. Rahul Gupta with the White House Office of National Drug Control.

You can buy a 2-dose box of Narcan at Walgreens for $44.99, and Medicaid pays for it in several states. In some areas across the country, you can even find Narcan vending machines. Many school districts also allow Narcan to be carried in schools now.

According to the latest federal data published on NPR, there were over 109,000 drug-related deaths in 2022, many from Fentanyl. Drug deaths nationwide are at an all-time high as the Fentanyl crisis deeps. The festival community has seen many of these encounters first-hand, unfortunately. Pasquale Rotella of Insomniac has even expressed his support to combat the opioid epidemic with improved accessibility to Narcan.

Carrying Narcan on you could save someone’s life, and now with the ease of finding Narcan over the counter in 2023, it’s imperative we look out for one another as best as we can.

Source: Komo News

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Martin remained unresponsive even after the overdose, leading his family to make the difficult decision to take him off life support. This devastating turn of events highlights the dangers associated with the illicit drug trade and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones.

A Controversial Drug Store Venture

Prior to his unfortunate demise, Martin made headlines by opening a brick-and-mortar store aptly named “The Drug Store” in May. This venture came after British Columbia modified its laws on Jan. 31, allowing adults to possess up to 2.5 grams of drugs, including opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, for personal use without facing legal repercussions.

According to Tomas, Martin firmly believed that individuals were self-medicating their trauma, and as long as they were doing so, they needed a safe supply of drugs. He aimed to provide a controlled environment where people could access these substances without the risk of encountering deadly additives like fentanyl.

However, Martin’s vision faced significant challenges from the start. Within just a day of opening his store in downtown Vancouver, he was arrested for drug trafficking, casting a shadow of doubt on his intentions and methods. It remains unclear whether Martin intentionally used fentanyl or if the drugs he consumed had been laced with this potent opioid.

It is our collective responsibility to work towards a future where individuals struggling with addiction receive the care and support they need to overcome their challenges and lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Only through compassion, understanding, and evidence-based interventions can we hope to prevent further tragedies like Martin’s untimely demise. If you or anyone you know is having problems with drug abuse, please get help HERE!

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What plans Insomniac has with End Overdose

According to Pasquale’s twitter post there are a few changes being made to the Insomniac festival experience. End Overdose, starting at Escape Halloween, will be on sight to help and educate festival goers. Also, they will be distributing supplies needed to increase safety.

Along with the other changes, Insomniac is now allowing its attendees to bring in their own personal Naloxone. Commonly known as NARCAN nasal spray. You can find your own at Rite Aid, CVS Pharmacy, or Walgreens. End Overdose offers Naloxone on their website along with Fentanyl Testing Strips. Additionally, On their website, you can take a free education course to get certified in how to recognize and respond to signs of an overdose. Hopefully with these steps Insomniac and End Overdose will give us a more safe rave experience.

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Morillo, known for his many house hits, was a legend inside the house music circuit. His death came as a shock for many inside the industry. He left with a divided legacy. Morillo’s death sparked multiple opinions inside the industry, discussing whether his legacy was bigger than what he was blamed for. In the end, both his crimes and his legacy will forever be remembered inside the industry, both as a revelation of what the people inside the industry can become, and of what music was capable of.

Morillo: Ketamine’s Victim

The toxicology report obtained by the Miami’s newspaper Miami New Times informed that Erick Morillo died of “acute ketamine toxicity”. It also lists MDMA and cocaine use as a contributing cause of death. Morillo’s final autopsy report, however, is expected to be released within the next two weeks. You can read the full report here.

Morillo’s death shocked everyone. What happened before, even more. This has been a tough year. We’ve learned a lot from it. Hopefully, after this, we’ll work for a safer industry. We must collaborate if we want to have the community we deserve. Safe for everyone. Doesn’t matter what your gender, race, or sexuality might be. P.L.U.R is for everyone. Morillo’s death certainly left a void in all of us. However, his actions cannot be forgotten. Neither can the actions of many who came before him. Let his passing be a memory of the fact that we can do better. We must do better.

The post Erick Morillo’s Death Ruled As Accidental Overdose appeared first on EDMTunes.

Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol incidents aren’t new to the rave scene or new to Electric Zoo. Back in 2013, two ecstasy overdoses led New York to cancel the final day of Electric Zoo.

“Lagaria Slaughter and Tanner Howell supplied the dangerous drug Molly to a young concert-goer, who overdosed and died after using Molly and other drugs. Tragically, this is not the first time my Office has charged people in connection with the overdose death of a concert-goer at the Electric Zoo festival,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said.

So Slaughter, who is an Army specialist, faces up to 4o years for conspiracy and possession with intent to sell. Howell, a private first class faces up to 20 years for possession with intent to distribute. The soldiers both received a $100,000 bond and are expected to return to Fort Drum. Their attorneys have not made any statements.

Keep up with the latest music news and releases through EDM Tunes!

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However, rap culture and fame comes with its own vices and downfalls. Drug culture can sometimes go hand in hand with rap culture and many rappers fall into that lifestyle. Unfortunately, Juice WRLD is one of them as well. He had tried to follow a sober lifestyle but relapsed, then swore off codeine again. That being said, drugs and alcohol are not only a problem in the rap culture, but in music culture as a whole.

“Addiction kills all but you can overcome.”

Tweet from Juice WRLD – July 8, 2019

The Findings

Authorities were alerted that the jet was carrying “weapons and narcotics on it.” TMZ reports that some time between the plane landing and authorities conducting their search, witnesses saw the rapper swallowing several Percocet pills in what they believe was an attempt to hide the contraband. He suffered from convulsions and went into cardiac arrest on Sunday at Chicago’s Midway Aiport. He was awake again after two doses of Narcan but pronounced dead after arriving to the medical center. Following his death, police found and seized 70 lbs of marijuana, codeine, and three guns from the private jet the rapper flew on. According to sources, when the police questioned the rapper’s girlfrind she stated that Juice WRLD “takes Percocet and has a drug problem.” However, there still no conclusion yet based on autopsy to report what was the definitive cause of death.

Juice WRLD was a light and genuine soul in the rap industry. Juice WRLD was scheduled to play Rolling Loud Los Angeles this Saturday. It’s unclear yet what the hip hop festival will do his timeslot. Hopefully this tragedy can serve as a wake-up call for artists and people who need it. Addiction can consume a person, and there’s no shame in getting help.

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Strawberry Fields issued a formal statement stating,

“We would like to send our sincere condolences to his family and friends during this distressing and terribly sad time.

We have implemented every single harm minimization strategy that is legally available to us, run in-depth education campaigns on the dangers of drug use, and worked closely with all stakeholders to ensure we are in the best possible position to prevent and manage an incident like this.

However, we cannot control the choices of individual patrons. We are begging people to stop and think about the ramifications of their choices on their family and friends and to stay safe.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the NSW Police, our onsite medical staff and the wider event team for their support.”

The Strawberry Fields death accompanies 10 other overdoses and hospitalizations that occurred this weekend. Eight men were treated for alleged overdoses at Festival X in Sydney’s Olympic Park. At Spilt Milk Festival in Victoria, two men were treated for overdoses.

Heavy policing has been in effect after a number of deaths occurred in New South Wales this past July. Out of 137 drug detections, 4 people have been charged with drug supply at Festival X.

Deputy State Coroner, Harriet Grahame, of NSW recently gave a number of recommendations regarding the security measures placed. She stated heavy policing and “sniffer dogs” are causing young people to engage in more risky drug behavior as they take them in panic to avoid being caught. In addition, she is pushing for pill testing to be available at festivals.

H/T: DailyMail

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The three-year-old golden retriever, Jake, began having balance issues followed by a seizure. Officers gave him Narcan, a drug used to treat overdoses in humans, and took him to the vet. An analysis showed that Jake most likely inhaled ecstasy while on the job.

The passenger was found with amphetamines, prescription drugs, and ecstasy. She was one of over a dozen passengers who were arrested on January 9th after trying to bring drugs onto the cruise.

Thankfully, Jake is okay. The Brevard County Sheriff’s office released a video of him back on the beat with his human partner, Deputy Scott Stewart. Port Canaveral stated in the tweet that Jake suffered no ill-effects from the drugs, which we’re very happy to hear.

There have been no further comments from Holy Ship! or Norwegian Cruise Lines about the future of the festival after the repeated drug smuggling attempts by attendees.

K9 JAKE’S BACK ON THE BEAT: @BrevardSheriff‘s K9 Deputy Jake is back on duty at Port Canaveral, playing with his handler, Deputy Scott Stewart, and showing no ill effects from a severe reaction that the 3-year-old golden retriever suffered from finding drugs on a passenger. pic.twitter.com/5cdFHlNlEp

— Port Canaveral (@PortCanaveral) January 11, 2019

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After Two deaths On New Year’s Eve Weekend in Australia The Debate On Pill Testing Begins

After the passing of two young adults in attendance at separate New Year’s Eve weekend music festivals the debate of pill testing has reignited in Australia. The first was a 20-year-old man who attended Beyond The Valley and the second victim was a 22-year old man who went to Lost Paradise, both passed away after ingesting an “unknown substance,” according to the police.

The topic of pill testing has been open to much debate in Australian government. Lead by NSW premier and state liberal leader, Gladys Berejiklian, Australia’s government is strongly opposed to pill testing with the belief that pill testing promotes drug use.

“The government position is quite clear on pill testing,” NSW Planning Minister, Anthony Roberts, told reporters in Sydney following the recent festival deaths. “We oppose the use of illegal drugs at these festivals,” Roberts said.

This isn’t the first time a death at a music festival sparks a debate, calls for government supported pill testing shortly followed after two deaths by suspected overdoses occurred at Defqon.1 in 2018. Berejiklian established a “high level expert panel” right after the deaths with the goals of educating festival goers on safety. Unfortunately the panel did not include pill testing.

“Advice from Victoria Police tells us it can give people a false and potentially fatal sense of security about illicit drugs,” a Victorian government spokesperson stated. “If there was a way in which we could ensure that lives were saved through pill testing we would consider it — but there is no evidence provided to the government on that,” Berejiklian told reporters on January 2.

We will see how this plays out.

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