Pubdate: Fri, 31 Jul 2015 Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU) Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.montrealgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274 Author: Kalina Laframboise Page: A1 FESTIVALS LACK PLAN TO DEAL WITH DRUG USE, WORKER SAYS Alcohol Intoxication Cases Can Get Bad, Especially in the Younger Kids Who Drink Too Much Too Fast. There is no set way or concrete guidelines for how front-line workers deal with the volatile issues that stem from drug and alcohol-related injuries at Montreal music festivals. Over the next three weeks, Montreal will be home to some of the largest music festivals in the country including Osheaga, Heavy MTL and IleSoniq. Hundreds of musical acts bring thousands of people from all over to Ile-Sainte-Helene for three consecutive weekends in August. For those like Theodore - not his real name because he is not authorized to speak to media - who work security at major music festivals, there is no plan to deal with high levels of intoxication and possible risks associated with drugs and alcohol. "There is no briefing, there is no training, there is nothing," Theodore said. Caroline Audet, a spokesperson for Evenko, the giant concert promoter that hosts all three festivals, said the organization could not divulge their security or medical measures for safety reasons. "The basics of the plan is around prevention, detection and if needed intervention," Audet wrote in an email. Yet Theodore said for massive concerts like Osheaga - the festival that had an attendance of 140,000 over three days last year - only 100-150 security guards are on duty. The job is divided into sections: border, stage, backstage, merchandise, entrance and intervention teams. Security is mostly placed around the borders and the intervention teams are designated for altercations, not medical emergencies. Security guards have first aid training but Evenko separates their duties from on-site medical teams, which Theodore says are few and far between. He estimates that there are two medical tents and an ambulance on standby at all times. "It was a very laissez-faire attitude," he said. That is radically different from the measures and precautions taken during indoor concerts, says Theodore, where security guards have a plan to deal with cases of overdosing, intoxication and altercations. Concerts like Osheaga are so big that security does not address drug and alcohol use, he said, and staff is often made up of novice security guards who are working for the first time. "It is whoever you can get and let's hope nothing happens," Theodore said. "That's the philosophy, and Evenko won't tell you that because that's probably their philosophy as well." In June, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse published a report designed to prevent drug and alcohol-related risks at Canadian music festivals. The report came after the death of five young adults during music festivals across the country in 2014. Evenko contributed to the report. "We looked around to see if there were any national recommendations or guidelines or anything like that that could be followed to be able to try and prevent these drug and alcohol-related harms from occurring and we found that there were none," said Matthew Young, who works with the CCSA as a senior research and policy analyst. Neither Canada nor Quebec have frameworks or a set of guidelines to address drug and alcohol use at music festivals. The CCSA's report focuses on four areas: event organization and design, promotion of health and reduction of harms, mass gathering medicine, and enforcement and security. The recommendations highlight the need for rapid exchange of information about drug risks, developing medical response teams for music festivals, and creating a national framework for policing and security. "There is a lot of work to be done on how best to implement security at events," Young added. Last year at IleSoniq, police detained 119 people for drugs and weapons possession. Every year, regulations to search and confiscate drugs at Evenko's festivals vary, the security guard said. The number of cases involving music festival attendees who require medical attention is not available. "We don't have really good numbers on those because they are spread out among the festivals," Young said. "And it would take a lot of effort to pull all of that information together." But hospital nurses say there's a hike in visits to the emergency room during music festival season, up by three to four patients each night, said an emergency room nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital. This was before the Royal Victoria Hospital merged with the McGill University Health Centre in 2015. Osheaga brings in the most patients, mostly in their early twenties. "Most of these cases are not serious," said the nurse who could not be named because she's not authorized to speak to reporters. "Sometimes, however, alcohol intoxication cases can get bad, especially in the younger kids who drink too much too fast - they may be deeply unconscious and their airway may become compromised." The MUHC's emergency room does not have a framework to deal with drug and alcohol-related injuries at music festivals. Dr. Sophie Gosselin, who is the director of the MUHC's medical toxicology consultation service and an emergency physician, says that the MUHC is prepared to deal with an array of medical emergencies that lead to an influx of patients. "When there is a festival or not it doesn't seem to be such an increase that it becomes incapacitating to deal with," Gosselin said. Drug and alcohol intoxication is not difficult to treat, says Gosselin. However, what does affect the ER is when a patient experiences medical complications from drugs or alcohol. "They require a lot of monitoring (from nurses). Sometimes every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes monitoring," Gosselin said. And there is a high demand for intensive care beds. Street drugs are not regulated and could contain anything, Gosselin said. "Sometimes it is a bit of Russian roulette," she added. Festival goers who show up at the ER agitated or confused can be violent, the nurse added. "The festival patients do add extra stress on the staff because often they are hard to manage," she said. "Imagine trying to deal with a few screaming and confused people at the same time. Some of them also come in agitated and pose a danger to the staff." For front-line workers, one solution to improve safety is for organizers to establish staff guidelines, training and extra briefings on the use of drugs and alcohol at Montreal's music festivals. Because so far, it's been inadequate, said Theodore of Evenko security: "You're kind of overwhelmed." - --- [sidebar] If you are going to get high, think safety first The Montreal Gazette sat down with the Head and Hands community organization to discuss safe drug and alcohol use during music festivals. Sara, a social worker involved with group's hands-on street program (she cannot give her full name to protect her identity) has provided tips to minimize the risks associated with drugs and alcohol during Osheaga, Heavy MTL and IleSoniq.This guide is meant to promote harm reduction and encourage the safest options for those who consume alcohol or drugs at any of Montreal's upcoming music festivals. KNOW YOUR SOURCE It is important to know the person you are acquiring your drugs from. That way you can ask the person questions about the strength of the batch of drugs and where they are getting it from. In the case of an emergency or unwanted effects, you know who to talk to. START WITH HALF OF YOUR RECOMMENDED DOSE The tricky aspect of street drugs is that you never quite know what is in them. It is important to start with half of the recommended dose because there is never a sure way to know what you're taking or your tolerance, which can be affected, for example, based on body weight and food consumption. "If you are going to use, it is better to use safely," said Sara. HAVE A BUDDY SYSTEM If this is your first time using a certain drug or drinking alcohol, it is important to have friends with you. Let your friends know what you took, how much you took and if you are mixing different drugs. It is important to be honest about your drug and alcohol use in the case of a medical emergency. TAKE BREAKS The month of August is brutal and if you're attending a music festival then it is likely you will spend hours under the sun. It is important to take breaks from drugs and alcohol to let your body rest. Stimulants like ecstasy may boost your energy but a time out during non-stop dancing prevents overheating. PLAN AHEAD If you know you will be taking drugs or alcohol, there are a few aspects to consider. Partying can be hard on the body so it is best to not have work or important events the next day. Certain drugs and alcohol limit inhibitions so it is recommended to bring protection like condoms to ensure safe sex. For the following days after the festival, it is also recommended to set aside time to sleep, relax and recover. STAY HYDRATED AND EAT REGULARLY Montreal's music festivals are long days spent in humid weather. In general, it is important to drink water regularly and eat healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables and nuts while on site. "There is research that recommends drinking about a pint of water per hour," Sara said. Regular hydration is imperative to fighting heat stroke, heat exhaustion and overdosing. Salty drinks like Gatorade help replenish electrolytes and fight dehydration. That's especially important if you take ecstasy or drink large amounts of alcohol. LOOK FOR SIGNS OF OVERDOSE The risk with drugs is that they can have toxic effects on the body. Here are some of the symptoms of an overdose: nausea vomiting seizures loss of balance difficulty breathing hallucination turning blue collapsing It is important to seek immediate medical attention if a drug overdose is suspected. SEEK MEDICAL HELP IF YOU NEED IT Health matters. Do not hesitate to ask for help if you or a friend are experiencing symptoms of overdose or heat exhaustion. There are emergency medical teams, security and first aid tents on site. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom