The much-awaited NSW coroner’s report into music festival deaths was released today. These are just a handful of the cold and callous comments that have flooded social media in recent weeks, in response to several drug deaths at music festivals across Australia. Privacy Policy Security Mr Noffs said "the commission must follow the NSW Coroner, and call for the removal of criminal sanctions for personal use". On July 18, a student was found dead of undetermined causes at Pemberton Music Festival in British Columbia. Background Information: Outdoor music festivals (OMFs) are complex events to organise with many exceeding the population of a small city. Dr Monica Barratt, a drug policy expert from RMIT University, said she wasn't surprised. We see things a little differently to most. The study also found more than half of deaths (56 per cent) and three-quarters of deaths by overdose (73 per cent) occurred in private places. NDARC research fellow Amanda Roxburgh said the number of deaths due to MDMA toxicity alone, rather than when mixed with a contaminant, "jumped out" at them. Drug checking services at music festivals will never be a silver bullet for all drug related harm and deaths associated with music festivals. How to finish those DIY projects you started in lockdown, How different generations are coping with lockdown. "A drug checking service can test the strength and it's really important people understand that pill testing doesn't just tell you if there's an adulterant, but also the strength - and that can change people's decisions. The NDARC report says 81 per cent of MDMA-related deaths in the report are men. It's a real win for harm reduction," she said. Please click here to view Facebook giveaway terms & conditions. Rarely was MDMA solely responsible for the deaths. Users can experience euphoria and other effects within half an hour of ingestion. It is also common sense that the attendees of music festivals do not wish to die or get injured, but that the deaths that caused this public policy issue to arise were accidental deaths. Terms of Use, ©2021 Defence Health Ltd What’s the difference between a physiotherapist, an accredited exercise physiologist, an osteopath, and a chiropractor? Doses varied in purity, as well as whether other substances were present. SYDNEY, Australia — The Australian authorities vowed to shut down a popular music festival after two people died of suspected drug overdoses and 700 … Some may wonder why there are so many deaths at music festivals, rather than at clubs or parties, where drug-taking is also common. SYDNEY, Australia — The Australian authorities vowed to shut down a popular music festival after two people died of suspected drug overdoses and 700 others sought medical attention over the weekend. Remedial massage versus relaxation massage. Over the past two weeks, deputy state coroner Harriet Grahame has heard harrowing details about the drug-related deaths of six young people at music festivals across New South Wales. Our members aren't numbers or names, they're just like family. Drug use patterns of Australian music festival attendees Almost all respondents (99.7%) reported they had used a drug (including alcohol) in the last 12 months and 98.4% reported they used an illicit drug. This reflects the nature of the GDS sample. The harm-reduction approach for drug taking at music festivals has attracted other high-profile advocates, like the former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Palmer. No matter what side of the fence you’re on when it comes to drug use, it is widely believed by the medical experts that education and the harm-minimisation of pill testing can save lives. Australians typically think they are getting MDMA when they purchase ecstasy tablets, however it’s not always the case. We see things a little differently to most. The deaths at the Defqon.1 festival in Sydney renewed a debate about drug policy in the country, with supporters of liberalization — and music […] MDMA is short for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Michaela Whitbourn is a legal affairs reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald. The study, published in the International Journal of Drug policy this month, identifies 392 deaths linked to the drug between 2000 and 2018. As outlined in Table 2, the most commonly used drugs amongst these Australian music festival At least five people died while attending dance parties in 2015, with one of the deaths occuring at Defqon. What’s involved in major dental treatment? The harm-reduction approach for drug taking at music festivals has attracted other high-profile advocates, like the former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Palmer. The study, published in the International Journal of Drug policy this month, identifies 392 deaths linked to the drug between 2000 and 2018. It's about knowing your dose, not just the purity.". It is interesting to note there has been an overall increase in the presence of stimulants in toxicology reports of drug-related deaths in the past five years. In one music festival death in 2017, 16 different substances were found in the deceased’s system, including alcohol, MDMA, and cocaine. • Hardcore Festival Fans (defined as those who attend five or more festivals a year) make up 14% of festival-goers, but account for 80% of total annual spend at music festivals. Dr Barratt said testing, not just at music festivals, could save lives. Despite recommendations from health experts and successful trials at Canberra's Groovin The Moo festival, Premier Gladys Berejiklian remains opposed to pill testing. "It's hard for people to take in general messages, but a personal message gets through.". ABN 80 008 629 481  AFSL 313890. Often there are other substances mixed in – even household products. Findings from Australia’s first official pill testing trial at the 2018 Groovin’ the Moo music festival revealed that of the 84% of people who had their pills tested (thinking they had purchased MDMA), only 51% of pills tested actually contained any MDMA. MDMA is a stimulant that speeds up the body and brain. In the aftermath of the deaths, there is a furious debate emerging around pill testing. That's why we're not for profit and why your wellbeing is what matters most... Disclaimer Four per cent of MDMA-related deaths in Australia since 2000 occurred at music festivals, according to a new report from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). A1, Deaths: 4 March 18, 2001 – Jakarta, Indonesia. Counsel assisting the inquiry have urged commissioner Dan Howard, SC, to recommend the personal use of ice and other illicit drugs be decriminalised in NSW under a public health-focused drug policy. As the NSW deputy state coroner examines the MDMA-linked deaths of six young music festival-goers, security precautions, pill testing and overdose procedures come under scrutiny. Considering laser eye surgery? Beyond the festival environment, the results of drug analysis can be used to inform health services and law enforcement authorities about the make-up of drugs in circulation (6, 11). “Over 23 million Australians attended live events with over $1.88 billion generated through ticket sales,” says its chief executive, Evelyn Richardson. And family always comes first. The research comes as the Berejiklian government faces calls to decrminalise the personal use of illicit drugs. • Australian festival-goers attend two to three festivals per year on average and 55% plan to attend even more in the coming year. This is a list of music festivals in Australia.It includes festivals that have stopped running. The research has prompted calls for an overhaul of the state's drug and alcohol policy to shift from a punitive to a public health-focused approach, aimed at encouraging people to seek medical treatment without fear of criminal sanctions. 10. Most MDMA-related deaths occur in private residences. This year’s service tested 170 substances for 234 participants, twice the number of those who presented at the pill testing facility last year. Matt Bungard is a journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald. Four per cent of MDMA-related deaths in Australia since 2000 occurred at music festivals, according to a new report from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). Almost 15 per cent of deaths were as a result of consuming MDMA, the report says. "MDMA-related deaths among women were less likely to be due to traumatic accidents, compared to deaths among men,” Dr Roxburgh said. For more than 65 years, providing genuine care, support and expertise to the Defence community has seen us grow into a family of over 300,000. Physical side-effects include sweating, jaw clenching, and even hallucinations. The Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug 'Ice', which also covers other amphetamine-type stimulants including MDMA, the main ingredient in ecstasy, is set to deliver its final report to the government on Tuesday. Pill Testing Australia (PTA) has released its full report on the outcomes of pill testing at this year’s Groovin’ the Moo festival, held in Canberra in April. That's why we're not for profit and why your wellbeing is what matters most. "The important message is that it's not just about altered MDMA, that MDMA in itself especially in hot situations, and even in homes, can cause deaths," she said. Three tips to overcome feelings of isolation, How to recognise a friend struggling with mental health during isolation. And family always comes first. These parties believe that informing drug-users about the substances they intend to take leaves them to make more educated decisions. The head of Q Dance Australia, Simon Coffey, told a NSW inquest into the deaths of six young people at recent music festivals he has been left 'marked' by the incidents. Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame, who presided over an inquest into the deaths of six young revellers who consumed MDMA, recommended in November that pill testing be trialled and "full and genuine" consideration be given to decriminalising illicit drug use. Minimising public health impacts at these events is important with improved event planning and management seen as the best method to achieve this. UQ’s Dr Cheneal Puljević, Dr Ellen Leslie and Associate Professor Jason Ferris provide a brief overview of the available evidence. festivals are not drug dealers. The country’stop medical bodies, including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Medical Association, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, publicly support pill testing in Australia. Despite this, NSW and Victorian governments remain opposed to pill testing. The deaths have renewed calls for pill testing following the series of deaths at Australian music festivals. Organisers of the ‘FOMO’ Australian music festival will look to install thermal body temperature scanners for future events in light of evidence provided to an inquest into recent deaths. What you need to know. As ABC News reports, Stefan Woodward died in the Royal Adelaide Hospital after a suspected drug overdose on Saturday. The latest death occurred after a 19 year old man attended the Knockout Games of Destiny music festival on 7 December 2018.1 That music festival also saw three people taken to hospital in a critical condition; 13 people taken to hospital for treatment and 130 … This is the second year pill testing was trialled at the festival. Music Industry News, Jobs & Charts. With the spate of festival deaths over the 2018-19 summer, the prevention of drug related deaths has again come into the national spotlight. However, many believe that pill testing creates a false sense of security for drug-takers. In this new normal, what do you want to leave behind? MDMA is under the microscope as a contributing factor to the deaths at the centre of the coroners inquest. "We're seeing an increase in high-purity and high-dosage MDMA, as well as different forms such as crystal and powder which are higher in purity," she said. These parties believe that informing drug-users about the substances they intend to take leaves them to mak… "Many of these deaths are young people who are too scared to get help when something goes wrong," he said. “We know there have been cases where people have died after using illicit drugs that are pure, so to offer a testing service that would suggest drugs are safe just because they don’t have additives in them would be incredibly irresponsible and dangerous, and offer people a false sense of security.”. A mix of drugs and other factors were responsible for most drug-related deaths in Australia in 2016. Visitors are advised about how reactions are different for every person and medical history is discussed and taken into consideration with test findings. Subscribe to Health HQ for the latest updates direct to your inbox each month. Conversely, users may imbibe too much water which causes cells to swell— medically referred to as hyponatraemia. The report says the number of MDMA-related deaths "increased significantly" between 2011 and 2016, "consistent with international supply trends" for the illicit drug. Just four per cent of deaths occurred at music festivals or dance parties. When alcohol, a depressant and common partner of drugs, is mixed with stimulants it further inhibits the respiratory system and contributes to complications. Two other revellers who attended the festival were also taken to hospital in a critical condition. However, it’s hard to know exactly how an individual will react to a substance, especially when other compounds are in the mix. Attendance figures at Australian music festivals have suffered a huge drop, a new survey has found. Most deaths occurred in private places and among men aged in their mid-20s. Some vehemently oppose, while others, including leading medical identities, have thrown strong support behind the harm-minimisation approach to young people and drug taking. Five people died at music festivals over five months, prompting the NSW Government to introduce a strict festival licensing regime. The five deaths at music festivals in NSW are the focus of a coronial inquest. At least nine people have died from suspected drug overdoses at Australian music festivals in the last five years, according to media reports. What’s the difference between a dentist and dental hygienist? The NSW coroner will hold an inquest into the recent deaths of five people of suspected drug overdoses at music festivals across the state, with a public hearing to kick off next week. A1’s scheduled appearance at a mall record store, broadcast on live television, was not interrupted by the death of four teenage girls.In fact, the boy band knew nothing of the incident until hours later. Among the nearly 17,000 people at Sydney’s Knockout Circuz music festival on December 16, 2017, was 18-year-old Hoang Nathan Tran. ... Defqon.1 Australia organisers this morning released a statement to news.com.au in response to the deaths. Our members aren't numbers or names, they're just like family. The victims took varying doses, from just one pill to possibly nine. Under the potential recommendations, pill testing would also be trialled and the use of medically supervised drug consumption rooms would be expanded. Dr David Caldicott, the clinical lead of Pill Testing Australia, explained that pill testing is provided in conjunction with a medical consultation. Following a number of recent drug-related deaths at music festivals across Australia, pill testing has again become a hot topic across media outlets.But how does pill testing work, and does it really encourage drug use? Music festivals responsible for minuscule percentage of drug deaths, recommend the personal use of ice and other illicit drugs be decriminalised in NSW, Despite recommendations from health experts. Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson made the following statement to SBS in February. Ted Noffs Foundation chief executive Matt Noffs said "when most drug use is happening at home or in secret, ironically, festivals are safer because there is help". "I hope that this report will prompt people who use MDMA to know that pure MDMA isn't necessarily safe. The main argument for pill testing is that because it’s hard to know exactly what a user is taking, helping them identify the substance they’re about to ingest, and educating them on the effects, will hopefully help mitigate deadly consequences. Created with you in mind, Health HQ is just another way that we are committed to your wellbeing. The Australian live performance sector had a record-breaking year in 2017, according to Live Performance Australia’s 2017 Ticket Attendance and Revenue Report, released this morning. Due to the combination of increased body temperature and the warm weather at the outdoor music festivals, plus the addition of alcohol (a diuretic) and dancing, the resulting dehydration and overheating causes serious complications or death. "Unless we get rid of criminal sanctions for personal use altogether, we will never be able to help a majority of these kids before we lose them altogether.". national 6:55pm Jul 10, 2019 music festivals; Sydney music festival deaths: Two young people dead. The country’s top medical bodies, including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Medical Association, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, publicly support pill testing in Australia. 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