Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2014
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Authors: Brian Platt and May Warren
Page: A1

DEATHS AT MUSIC FESTIVAL SPARK CONCERN OVER DRUGS

Bad "party drugs" killed two people and sent 13 more to hospital at 
an electronic music festival in Downsview Park this weekend, Toronto 
police say. They are the latest casualties in a number of deaths and 
illnesses at Canadian music festivals this summer.

Police said a 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman both died after 
ingesting the drugs at the Veld Music Festival.

Deputy Chief Mark Saunders said it's not yet clear whether the deaths 
were from overdose or poison, but they are being investigated as 
possible homicides. He asked that anyone who purchased drugs at Veld 
turn them in immediately.

"The important thing is that if you have purchased that drug and 
you've got it right now . . . if you turn it into us you won't be in 
criminal jeopardy," Saunders said.

The twin tragedies at Veld follow a pair of deaths at music festivals 
in British Columbia in the past two weeks.

A 24-year-old Alberta woman died this weekend of a suspected overdose 
at the Boonstock music festival in Penticton, two weeks after a 
21-year-old died at the Pemberton Music Festival in Pemberton.

In May, 29 people were sent to hospital with medical issues related 
to alcohol or drugs after a Toronto Avicii concert. Following the 
Veld deaths, Toronto police said they do not know exactly what sort 
of drugs were taken by those who died or became ill.

"We're saying party drugs because right now people are saying it 
could be MDMA, it could be ecstasy, it could be GHB. So we're being 
as generic as possible at this point in time," said Saunders.

"People are dying from ingesting this drug. We want to find this 
drug. We want to find exactly what it is."

The other 13 people, who were sent to hospital with symptoms such as 
hysteria and euphoria, ranged in age from 16 to 28 years old, he said.

One of the deaths is being investigated by the Special Investigation 
Unit - the 22-year-old man had to be restrained by police officers 
while receiving medical attention. He died in an ambulance while en 
route to a hospital.

A police spokesperson estimated that about 38,000 people attended the 
electronic music festival, now in its third year. It featured 
performances from Calvin Harris and Iggy Azalea.

Charles Khabouth, founder and chief executive of INK Entertainment 
and one of the organizers of the festival, in a statement released to 
the Star called the deaths "health-related tragedies that sadden us deeply." "

We extend our heart-felt condolences to the families and friends of 
these individuals and will keep them in our prayers," his statement read.

Ink said festival organizers employed 280 licensed security guards, 
40 medics, a medical doctor, four ambulances, 26 dedicated event paid 
duty officers and 15 senior Ink security managers over the two-day event.

A post-mortem will be carried out on one of the victims on Tuesday.

Saunders did not provide any further details on the SIU investigation.

In a news release issued Sunday morning, the SIU said a Toronto 
police officer noticed two people carrying a concert-goer who 
appeared to be in medical distress. The officer called an ambulance.

While being treated by EMS, the man became violent and was restrained 
by EMS, then handcuffed by the officer.

The man was treated in the ambulance, and his handcuffs were removed. 
But while being transported to a hospital he lost vital signs and was 
pronounced dead.

The SIU, a provincial civilian agency that investigates any 
circumstances involving police and a death, serious injury or 
allegations of sexual assault, has assigned five investigators and 
two forensic investigators to the incident.

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti has been a vocal opponent of electronic 
dance music concerts.

In June, after 20 people at the Digital Dreams festival in Toronto, 
were hospitalized with drug-and-alcohol related illnesses, Mammoliti 
told the Star he would like to see a ban on dance music raves revisited.

- - With files from Sean Wetselaar
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom