CDC Questions Rave Deaths

A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report questions the hosting of raves at publicly owned venues in the wake of deaths at San Francisco’s Cow Palace and Los Angeles’ Sports Arena.

The report, released June 10, said one man died of multiple drug intoxication and 18 others were taken to hospitals after indulging in Ecstasy and other drugs at a New Years 2010 rave at the Sports Arena that reportedly drew 45,000 people, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Reza Gerami of Go Ventures, which help run the New Year’s event, told the paper that drug use is not condoned at the annual event.
“We run a very safe and organized event,” Gerami told the paper. “When you deal with the number of people that we deal with, you’re always going to get a few bad apples.”

The report also addressed the deaths of two men who had attended the May 29 “Pop 2010: The Dream” electronic music festival at the Cow Palace near San Francisco that reportedly drew more than 16,000. Ten others were hospitalized for suspected drug overdoses.

Pop 2010 promoter Jason Sperling of Skills DJ Workshop previously said that drug use is also not condoned at his events and every precaution is taken to provide safety and security for all concertgoers.