The suspected drug deaths of two festival goers led Sunday to the abrupt cancellation of the third day of the Electric Zoo music festival in New York City. In addition to the deaths of the 23-year-old man and the 20-year-old women, four other participants were hospitalized for suspected drug-related health problems.
According to the New York Police Department, the two victims who died may have overdosed on the drug Molly however actual drug toxicology screens have not been released. The four hospitalized were reported to be seriously ill and in intensive care. As a pill, Molly is known as ecstacy, however if it is not tested as pure MDMA who knows whats in the self filled capsules.
In a joint statement issued by police officials and by the office of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the cancellation was made in agreement between them and the promoters of the festival. Organizers have previously worked with the city to reduce health risks at the event, but a complete closure was considered to be the best course of action considering the circumstances. Additionally, the founders of the Electric Zoo released a statement in which they expressed their “deepest condolences” for the two deaths. The statement also emphasized that their primary concern was with the safety of their patrons.
Meanwhile, city health officials are attempting to determine the cause of the two deaths and of the illnesses that affected the other participants. It was not immediately known whether the drugs that were apparently used had been unusually potent or whether they had been contaminated with a poisonous substance. This is the key here as at first glance Molly is getting the bad wrap without being the actual substance related to the deaths of the individuals. It was also considered possible that there had been some type of drug reaction in conjunction with other health problems associated with the prevailing heat and humidity, or because the victims had taken the drugs without consuming food or liquids (you HAVE to drink water!).
As it had in every year since its inception in 2009, the event took place in the park located on Randall’s Island, which is itself located in the East River. Last year the Electric Zoo attracted more than 100,000 participants. The big name performers scheduled to appear at the event this year included Avicii, David Guetta and Diplo, and producers Armin Van Buuren, Sabastiona Ingrosso, Steve Aoki and Laidback Luke.Sucks for everyone that rolled responsibly and didn’t get to attend on Sunday but the irresponsibility of the people who took too many unidentified drugs ruined it for everyone.