Pubdate: Sun, 09 Aug 2015 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Contact: http://www.calgaryherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Authors: Annalise Klingbeil and Sammy Hudes Page: A3 MUSIC FEST OVERDOSES SEND 17 TO HOSPITAL Patients Reportedly Ingested Large Amounts of Alcohol, Illicit Substances Different substances will have different effects on the body at different times, even if ingested by the user on prior occasions. Seventeen people suffered drug or alcohol overdoses at a Calgary outdoor music festival and were rushed to hospital on the weekend. The patients were taken on Friday and Saturday from the two-day Chasing Summer Festival, which was held at Fort Calgary and advertised as Western Canada's largest electronic music event. EMS transported 10 women and seven men, ranging in age from 18 to mid 30s, in a range of conditions. One woman in her early 30s was in potentially life-threatening condition, five people were listed in serious but stable condition, and 11 patients were in stable condition. Many of the patients in stable condition were uncooperative and aggressive to first responders and required physical or chemical restraint, and assistance from Calgary Police, to ensure their safety, according to EMS. "We need people to understand the risk that they're undertaking if they ingest these substance under any circumstance, regardless of if it's in the context of a rave or festival," said EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux. "In one instance, we saw someone in hospital in potentially life-threatening condition simply from making this choice at this festival." It's not clear how many of the 17 patients remained in hospital Sunday. In most instances, the patients had ingested large amounts of alcohol and at least one other illicit substance, Brideaux said. The illicit substances included: MDMA ( ecstasy), marijuana, and in some cases cocaine, GHB or Ketamine. "It's particularly dangerous when people are mixing drugs with alcohol or other drugs," Brideaux said. "They may have no idea what effect it might have." Brideaux said most of the patients in serious condition had trouble breathing and some were unresponsive. "Without medical intervention, these medical complications carried an extremely high risk of worsening, posing potentially life-threatening situations," EMS said in a news release. Dave Johnston, creative director of Union Events, which puts on Chasing Summer, said in an email that the organization is awaiting further information about these incidents "and will have further comment at that time." The patients were divided among four area hospitals so as not to overburden one hospital. Brideaux said most of the patients taken to hospital seemed to understand what substances they had taken and how much, and there were no instances of a patient being suspicious they had been given a substance unknowingly. Brideaux said that in many instances, patients told medical officials they had taken the same illicit substances in the past without any medical complications. In the wake of the 17 overdoses, EMS is reminding the public there are no safe or prescribed doses for recreational street drugs and that illicit street drugs are unpredictable. "Different substances will have different effects on the body at different times, even if ingested by the user on prior occasions," EMS stated in a news release. In 2014, Chasing Summer was among a string of music festivals across Canada in which multiple patients were hospitalized with illnesses following drug overdoses. Last summer, there were five deaths at music festivals across the country. In June, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse released a report highlighting its recommendations to prevent further alcohol and drug- related harm during these events. The centre recommended campaigns to educate the public and other music festivals about ongoing and new drug risks, among other proposals. Johnston told the Herald in June that many recommendations included in the report are already the practises of Chasing Summer. He said Chasing Summer has "a zero tolerance policy" when it comes to alcohol and drug abuse. "Personal responsibility would be a really good start on behalf of patrons. One of our big messages that we have for people is to look after yourself and look out for each other," Johnston said at the time. "Don't do anything stupid. Don't do anything that you'd be embarrassed or ashamed of. We can't hold the hands of 15,000 people." - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom