Mass overdose caused by heat, high MDMA dose and contaminants

A mass overdose at a Melbourne music festival was not caused by a single bad batch of MDMA but a variety of contaminants, high concentrations of the party drug and people overheating on the 33-degree day, the state’s health department has found.

The finding comes as Ambulance Victoria announced late on Friday that two more festival goers were hospitalised for suspected substance use, despite a beefed-up police presence at the Juicy Fest show in Flemington.

Nine people were hospitalised after overdosing on drugs at Hardmission Festival.

Nine people were hospitalised in a critical condition last Saturday after the Hardmission electronic music festival in Flemington. Three people – two men in their 20s and a woman in her late teens – were still fighting for life on Friday and a man in his 20s remained in a serious condition.

The Department of Health took blood tests from seven of the patients and on Friday issued a drug alert that warned Victorians about taking MDMA and other stimulants in the heat.

“We can confirm that everyone hospitalised from [last] Saturday’s incident experienced severe hyperthermia [high body temperatures], caused by a combination of MDMA exposure, hot and humid conditions, and physical exertion,” a department spokeswoman said in a statement.

Six blood tests confirmed very high concentrations of MDMA.

“Four people were also exposed to other stimulant drugs which are often sold as, or mixed into, MDMA. These substances increased the toxic effects experienced by these patients,” the spokeswoman said.

One person had ‘PMMA’ in their system and three people had synthetic ‘cathinones’, which are stimulants that have similar effects to MDMA but can be unpredictable.

“Three people had methamphetamine in blood results but do not appear to have consumed it intentionally,” the department said in its drug alert, issued on Friday.

“Remember, even ‘pure’ drugs can produce serious side effects and death.”

The mass overdose prompted renewed debate on the policing of drugs in Victoria and whether the state should trial pill testing, which could check the makeup or purity of someone’s drugs.

Premier Jacinta Allan ruled out the harm reduction initiative, and Victoria Police ramped up its presence at the hip hop Juicy Fest in Flemington on Friday, after The Age revealed that fewer than half the people searched at music festivals were found to have drugs on them.

“Police will be cracking down on any disruptive crowd behaviour and illicit drug activity,” the force said on Friday afternoon.

“Police want people to have a good time and will not tolerate any behaviour that compromises the public’s safety.”

Despite police warnings, Ambulance Victoria said late on Friday a woman in her 30s was in a critical condition while another woman in her late teens was in a stable condition at the Royal Melbourne Hospital – both due to suspected substance use.

Paramedics also assessed a man in his 30s but emergency transport or treatment wasn’t required. Several others were assessed for heat-related symptoms, but did not require an ambulance.

Police said two people were arrested and were charged with drug offences following Friday’s Juicy Fest event.

Dr Nico Clark, who established Victoria’s first safe-injecting room in Richmond as the former medical director, and has previously studied drugs discarded at music festivals, said responding with greater policing was a “bizarre way for us to go as a society”.

“Let’s have a debate as a society about what’s a more sensible option, whether it’s putting on the table for discussion options for people to test their own substances, or alternative legal frameworks for substances like this,” Clark said.

Friday’s drug alert advised people to “start low and go slow with dosing” given doses could vary, to stay hydrated by sipping water slowly, and to take breaks from dancing in a cool spot.

“All drug use comes with serious risks, but if people do choose to take drugs, it’s important they know that consuming substances like MDMA at a hot, humid music event will increase the risk of life-threatening hyperthermia and should understand the signs and seek medical help immediately,” the department spokeswoman said.

“Signs of drug-related hyperthermia include feeling uncomfortable hot, nausea and vomiting, excessive thirst, confusion, agitation, muscle spasms, seizures or losing consciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing alcohol or drug use issues, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236.

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