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60 Treated For Substance Abuse at Odyssey
A teenager posted an image on Facebook showing a variety of drugs and alcohol ahead of a gig at Belfast’s Odyssey arena in which dozens were treated outside the venue for the ill-effects of substances.
Photo: Peter Morrison/AP
60 young people at Belfast’s Odyssey Arena were taken ill and treated for the effects of drugs and alcohol.
The posting showed a photograph of pills, powder, vodka and cider before a performance by Dutch DJ Hardwell.
“Well … Hardwell”, the message said.
Adrian Doyle, the arena’s general manager, told the Belfast Telegraph that those who arrived at the gig intoxicated were not allowed in.
“It is our understanding that a number of patrons arriving at the Odyssey Arena to attend a concert by Dutch DJ act Hardwell have required medical attention, having arrived intoxicated at the Odyssey Complex”, he said.
“These patrons were not granted entry to the Odyssey Arena, and were treated by the ambulance service outside. Several patients have now been transferred to hospital by ambulance”.
The Belfast Trust confirmed 15 young people were taken to the city’s Royal and Mater hospitals in a stable condition.
The ambulance service declared it a major incident, with up to 60 casualties
Extra staff were brought in to nearby hospitals to deal with them.
Dr Tony Stephens of the Belfast Health Trust said specialist teams and support staff had come in and effectively managed the situation.
“We’ve created capacity on our wards to look after these patients and it has been a great effort from all our staff”, he said,
Belfast Health Trust has set up an emergency telephone number for people concerned about friends or relatives: 028 9063 8131.