Guys, have you seen this?

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/01/electric-zoo-music-festival-cancelled

Two people died, and 4 are in hospital . So Electric Zoo was cancelled. This is really sad, but the worst of it is that it is drug related. Once again edm scene looks "bad", drug dominated and agressive. RIP to the ones who passed away, but I can't help but think about the people who flew away from various places for this event and now it's cancelled...

I hope people in the EDM scene will start to understand, don't do drugs or do them carefully! 6 people went beyond the limits, and now the whole festival is canceled

It's a real shame for all the people that, just as you said Vera, flew there and traveled a lot.
Really, I'm quite gutted about this. And something tells me it won't me the last time it happens...

It's very sad and disheartening that this happen.

Condolences to all affected.

I just hope that the old stereotype about EDM doesn't come up again.

Contrary to popular belief, NOT all who love EDM and raves use drugs.

I don't agree with cancelling the event, what about the money they have invest and the other assistants?? Drugs... Always drugs... DEP/RIP

I think this is the most stupid reason to cancel an event. Yes it's awful what happened, especially for the ones left behind. But for those 6, I'm sorry, but they knew what they were taking and they knew there were risks. Their own stupid fault and all those thousands of others shouldn't be punished for that.

And the worst is, most people think all EDM is the same. I can fight against it whatever I want, but it doesn't help. And for this, the need to always defend myself, for this, I really deeply hate those 6 people. Fuck them!

It just really infuriates me how a lot of people (I'm speaking about people in America) think that they have to take drugs in order to enjoy a dance music event. In my opinion, you aren't a real fan of the music if you have to get high every show you go to!!!! That drives me crazy! Seriously, if you can't have a good time without drugs, then you shouldn't even go.

It's sad what happened. I feel so bad for the victims families. People aren't knowledgable about the drugs they are taking, and that needs to change.

Originally posted by Remco

I think this is the most stupid reason to cancel an event. Yes it's awful what happened, especially for the ones left behind. But for those 6, I'm sorry, but they knew what they were taking and they knew there were risks. Their own stupid fault and all those thousands of others shouldn't be punished for that.

And the worst is, most people think all EDM is the same. I can fight against it whatever I want, but it doesn't help. And for this, the need to always defend myself, for this, I really deeply hate those 6 people. Fuck them!

Agree with Remco's post! It's unfortunate that people lost their lives due to these drugs, but the rest of us shouldn't have to suffer for it!

And, having been a consumer, producer and showcaser of EDM for the last decade, I can safely say that EDM does NOT in ANY WAY condone, endorse or encourage the use of illegal or dangerous drugs.

I think more needs to be done to educate people about these drugs and the potentially lethal effects they have on the human body.

There exists some websites that serve that purpose. Here is one that Mat Zo posted that is based out of the UK.:

http://www.talktofrank.com/

In addition, In my opinion, we need to put an end to the "War on Drugs".

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, I don't support, condone or encourage the use of illegal or dangerous drugs in any way. It's just that I have noticed that the "Drug War" approach has created a "forbidden fruit" situation in which drug (ab)use has increased instead of curtailed.

A few years ago, Portugal decriminalised all drugs. Drugs are still illegal there, but rather than legally punish those who use drugs, they offer rehab and other tools needed to get clean. They treat drug use and addiction as a disease instead of a crime. As a result, the rate of new instances of drug (ab)use and HIV infections have dramatically shrunk!

Right my turn. That talk to frank site is shit by the way, decent sites are Bluelight, Erowid, Drugs forum etc, but Ranz you are SPOT on with your last point. I'll start with the science and "War on Drugs" and then move on to my personal views.

If you like it or not, drugs are a part of every scene in the World, weather it's music, Art or Politics. As humans, many enjoy to take drugs, this is a fact that is unavoidable. To pretend that it's not is to ignore the situation.

I went to Boom festival in Portugal last year, for those that don't know it is a 5 day Psytrance festival that goes on in 35c + heat and so it's pretty hardcore. On site they had drugs testing and also Kosmicare who are a group of doctors, counselors and Psychologist who specialize in psychedelic care.

The drugs testing was a huge success, they were able to tell people exactly what was in their drugs, if they chose to take it that's their choice and at least they could say what was in it. There was a blue Micro Dot being sold as "LSD" which was actually "Dox" which is a VERY powerful psychedelic that can last for twice as long as "LSD," this is great if you are on a good trip but very bad if you slip into a bad trip. Bad Trips are more rare than you would think by the way. They told people this information and also about some dodgy K going around, this makes complete sense as people can avoid it, simple harm reduction and it works.

Guess how many people died at Boom? None. Not bad for a week long festival, and I didn't even see many people that were dangerously fucked, in fact none spring to mind but maybe it was a more responsible crowd who knew their limits.

The war on drugs is destroying communities in Mexico, South America and the Middle East, it pushes the drugs trade into the hands of criminals and they cut it with loads of shit along the way to boost profit. No drugs are safe but with lack of education, by ignoring the problem and letting the markets be unregulated makes it 1000's of times more dangerous than it needs to be. Uruguay has recently legalized the sale of Cannabis and have take that power away from Criminals, they can tax and regulate the market, early signs are that this is having a positive impact.

As some of you know I am a regular recreational drug user, I probably use some form of drug 2-3 times a month on average. I don't really drink because I HATE the affect it has on me, I am markedly different on alcohol compared to other drugs, why shouldn't I be allowed to take a substance that has a more positive affect on me? Lots of people in my group of friends also take drugs, but we all love the music, only one of us goes to parties to get "Fucked" his words not mine, but that's no different to 1000's of people that go to shitty clubs every weekend and push dodgy coke up their nose or smash back the vodka.

I am also more than capable of going to a party and not doing drugs, including alcohol and have done many times. Who are people to say that I don't love the music as much as them, or anyone in my crew? With the money I have spent traveling Europe following this passion of mine I think that's totally unfair.

The state were stupid to stop this party, many people are responsible ravers who go for fun if they are sober or not, you will never beat the atmosphere at a Dance Music night (I hate this EDM turn and it's an annoying phrase that has come with this mainstream Americanization of the Scene.) and so to stop the party because some people are stupid is not on at all.

I have met many people who think taking drugs or drinking is just something to do for to get smashed this is a waste. A kid took 1gram of MDMA in an hour and died at Lakota which was then shut down, it was the drug that killed him but also lack of education, why are we not teaching people how to take drugs safely because they are going to take it anyway. Would you rather your child would walk to a dealer only interested in making profit and get his drugs, or would you rather he went into a medical facility, by something that is clean and get good advice? I know which I would prefer.

Instead, people like me have to look around on the internet to get advice, which I do before I take any substance but for those that don't it would be much better to get that advice at source, the laws as they are don't allow this.

People have been doing drugs in the underground scene in America for years with few big problems but at these big events like this one and "WMC" you get very young and immature people who don't know there limits and just want to get smashed. People got stabbed at a "SHM" event ffs, never heard of such a thing and I've been to a few sketchy squat parties in my time.

As far as I'm concerned those shit events can fuck off and leave the rest of us adults to enjoy parties how we want.

Knew you would comment on this one Dani unfortunately (at least where i live) we're still far from being so open minded regarding the drug problem :/

I don't understand in general why you need to take drugs or get wasted by alcohol when you go to a good party. I understand when you go to a party you don't like or from which you hate the music, you just go there, cz there's nothing else. But at a party with music that you love? I really don't understand it. Is it really that fun to don't remember anything of the DJs you love? I mean, I've been wasted numerous times, but I never was at a trance event. Wouldn't want to miss it for the world Trance is my drug.

Originally posted by Remco

I don't understand in general why you need to take drugs or get wasted by alcohol when you go to a good party. I understand when you go to a party you don't like or from which you hate the music, you just go there, cz there's nothing else. But at a party with music that you love? I really don't understand it. Is it really that fun to don't remember anything of the DJs you love? I mean, I've been wasted numerous times, but I never was at a trance event. Wouldn't want to miss it for the world Trance is my drug.

*Clapping* EXACTLYYY!!! I completely agree 100%, Remco! I don't understand why people do it either. If you truly love the music, why can't you have a good time without drugs?

Originally posted by Remco

I don't understand in general why you need to take drugs or get wasted by alcohol when you go to a good party. I understand when you go to a party you don't like or from which you hate the music, you just go there, cz there's nothing else. But at a party with music that you love? I really don't understand it. Is it really that fun to don't remember anything of the DJs you love? I mean, I've been wasted numerous times, but I never was at a trance event. Wouldn't want to miss it for the world Trance is my drug.

Whose saying that we HAVE to? I enjoy having a bit of MDMA, LSD or Base at a party, I can do it sober but I choose not to. It's the same as having a beer and at the end of a week at work I've earned that. To be fair I rarely get "wasted" anyway and you don't tend to have blank spots like you do because of alcohol. I find alcohol much more dangerous....

As I've said I have been to many parties without alcohol or drugs and have just as good of a time. It's not the reason I go out but it's a side to it I also enjoy.

People that go out to get wasted do annoy me though and are all over the place etc. But, that's their choice.

I can remember pretty much every Rave I've been too by the way.

Originally posted by Daniel

Whose saying that we HAVE to? I enjoy having a bit of MDMA, LSD or Base at a party, I can do it sober but I choose not to. It's the same as having a beer and at the end of a week at work I've earned that. To be fair I rarely get "wasted" anyway and you don't tend to have blank spots like you do because of alcohol. I find alcohol much more dangerous....

As I've said I have been to many parties without alcohol or drugs and have just as good of a time. It's not the reason I go out but it's a side to it I also enjoy.

People that go out to get wasted do annoy me though and are all over the place etc. But, that's their choice.

Wasn't specifically referring to you, just saying in general. But ok, when you compare it to drinking a beer. I often also party without a drop of alcohol, simply because I often have to drive home. And when I don't drink, I have just as much of fun as when I do. Because when I do drink at a trance event, I ony drink 2 or 3 beers, not more. Because I drink it cz I like the taste of it, not because of the feeling that alcohol gives me afterwards. But I can hardly imagine that MDMA, LSD or Base tastes good? I have no clue what kind of feeling those are giving, only tried some marihuana in the past, but the only feeling I need is the feeling that trance is giving to me. And IMHO, when you love the music, that feeling is giving you all the satisfaction you need

And no, alcohol is not more dangerous, it's just as dangerous. Both things can be taken without any harm, but both things are dangerous when you take too much of it.

I meant the effects it has on me rather than overall, the last bit I really agree with and that's why countries need to be more forward thinking. People will always do it so give them the tools and knowledge to lower the risk. Then if they still fuck up then that's their fault. .....

Yeah I didn't take it personally Remco, I think you know me well well enough to know I'm not tthere for the drugs or alcohol.