Jonty Skrufff's Blog

Hardfest, July 17

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LA authorities voted to establish a ‘rave task force’ to ‘enhance rave safety’ this week in response to the death of a 15 year girl from a suspected drugs overdose at last month’s Electric Daisy Carnival.

The LA Times said the task force will be considering locations, opening times and the size of electronic music parties held in the city with a remit to ‘raise awareness about the potential dangers of rave parties.’

The task force will also ‘develop countywide recommendations to enhance rave safety by mandating that rave promoters and sponsors incorporate public health recommendations into their event planning,’ the Times noted. “For example by requiring the use of private emergency medical staff.”

More ominously, the paper hinted that upcoming ‘multiple electronica-focused events’ such as Hardfest (headlined by the likes of Soulwax, Tiga, Switch and MIA) and Love Festival (headlined by Badboy Bill) could face sanctions, ominously referring to both in the past tense. (LA Times)

Love Festival, Los Angeles

The Rave Task Force’s emphasis on the provision of emergency medical care coincided with a report in Newsweek examined the continuing unresolved debate over  whether ‘good Samaritan’ laws allowing people to call 911 when friends have bad reactions to drugs without fear of arrest, should be introduced.

Newsweek catalogued numerous incidents of people allowing friends to die and dumping their bodies rather than seeking help to avoid being busted while others who called for ambulances instead ended up in jail.

“As it now stands in most states, people who dial 911, drop a friend off at a hospital, or otherwise try to get care for someone in the midst of a drug overdose are subject to prosecution for use, possession, or distribution,” Newsweek noted.

“Research shows that people consistently list “fear of police involvement/fear of arrest” as the leading reason for failing to seek immediate help for someone thought to be overdosing, according to (drug expert) Meghan Ralston,” they added. (Newsweek)

Hardfest (July 17: Sinden, Diplo, Digitalism, Crystal Castles, 12 noon to midnight: Los Angeles State Historic Park)

Love Festival: August 21: Tom Novy, Swedish Egil, Richard Vission, Cedric Gervais: LA Sports Arena and Grounds: 4pm -4am)

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