Qld: Drug-taking ravers put themselves at 'high risk'

AAP General News (Australia)
04-16-2006
Qld: Drug-taking ravers put themselves at 'high risk'

By Roberta Mancuso

BRISBANE, April 16 AAP - Authorities warn those who take drugs at rave parties are
dicing with death after a man died of a suspected overdose at a Brisbane festival.

The 25-year-old collapsed at the Mayhem Easter Music Festival at the RNA showgrounds
in inner-city Fortitude Valley around 11.15pm (AEST) yesterday.

An ambulance spokesman said the man was "aggressive and violent" towards paramedics
when they arrived at about 12.20am (AEST). He was taken to nearby Royal Brisbane Hospital
(RBH), where he died at around 12.45am (AEST).

"Apparently he deteriorated in RBH," the ambulance spokesman said.

"We didn't respond with lights and sirens, so it wasn't seen as an emergency when we got there."

The spokesman said he had "no idea" what the man, from Carseldine in Brisbane's north,
may have taken.

A post-mortem would be carried out in coming days and police said they would investigate
further if asked by the coroner.

Drug Arm executive director Dennis Young said many young people who took drugs at such
events put themselves at "high risk".

"I know that Queensland Health, the ambulance, police and a whole range of other government
and NGOs (non-government organisations) have been working to try to reduce the harm, but
unfortunately when young people go to these places they go with an expectation of really
going hard at it," Mr Young said.

"Of course that raises all sorts of risks.

"They're not necessarily always in the best physical and emotional condition then to
make appropriate judgments, and that's how they can get into some serious harm."

Internet chat forums were today filled with news of the tragedy.

Some who attended the event expressed their sorrow while others questioned whether
a "bad batch" of drugs was circulating within the rave community.

"... when we do know what happened then I think it should be put publicly," one user
wrote on an inthemix.com.au forum.

"If there is a bad batch of something going around then people in a community like
the dance community should be made aware of it."

Another wrote: "What a terrible blight on an otherwise awesome party."

Thousands of partygoers attended the rave which promoters billed as "biggest ever Mayhem event".

Attempts to contact the event's organiser, Mayhem Productions, were unsuccessful. Their
website was also down, citing "major upgrades".

Mr Young said he understood the organisers had been refused a liquor licence despite
advertising on some websites the 16+ event would serve alcohol.

A police spokeswoman confirmed no liquor licence had been granted and police did not
know the event was on until they were called out.

She said promoters did not need to inform police of an event unless they applied for
a liquor licence or intended to close off public streets.

But Mr Young said authorities should always be informed of such dance parties.

"I think what (the death) highlights is we do need to make sure the appropriate response
organisations are at least aware of what is planned so that they can be ready to assist
when and if issues happen," he said.

AAP rm/arb/de

KEYWORD: OVERDOSE NIGHTLEAD

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.