Rave canceled after overdose deaths

The last day of a large rave in New York City was canceled Sunday after two attendees died, apparently from Ecstasy overdoses.


The deaths occurred during the first two days of the Electric Zoo rave. At  least four other people became critically ill and were hospitalized, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's office said.

Fans dance at a rave at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2010, where a 15-year-old girl died of a drug overdose. Two suspected drug overdoses at a rave in New York this weekend forced the event's early cancellation. Courtesy NY Times

"Definitive causes of death have not yet been determined, however, both appear to have involved the drug MDMA(ecstasy, or molly)," the office said in a statement. "The Electric Zoo organizers have worked with city officials to reduce health risks at this event, but in view of these occurrences, the safest course is to cancel the remaining day of the event."

Raves, which feature electronic music, are tightly bound with Ecstasy or similar designer drugs -- hallucinogens that can cause death, coma or permanent brain damage.

There has been increased scrutiny about the role of raves at mainstream venues. A LosAngeles Times investigation published in February found that at least 14 people who attended raves produced by Insomniac Inc. and Go Ventures Inc. since 2006 died from overdoses or in other drug-related incidents.

For more on this LA Times story, click here.