OTTAWA, (CelebrityAccess) — Emergency responders in Ottawa treated 15 people and transported nine patients for medical care during the two-day Escapade Music Festival.
According to the Ottawa Citizen, the victims include a man in his 20s who had to be resuscitated and was taken to the hospital in critical care after he suffered a suspected overdose of GHB, a party drug.
A second man in his 20s was also transported to an area hospital in serious condition after taking GHB, which stands for gamma-hydroxybutyrate, the Citizen reported.
Paramedics told the Citizen that the nine people were treated “mainly for overdoses,” with most due to a mixture of s MDMA and GHB and alcohol.
Ottawa Public Health officials partnered with the Canadian Ski Patrol and festival organizers to ensure the safety of festival-goers. Paramedics had a mobile treatment and rehab unit on site, as well as ambulance ATVs stationed at the event.
As well, nurses from Ottawa Public Health wore identifying t-shirts and mingled with the crowd, assisting people in need and answering questions.
“The great teamwork with the organizers allowed us and Ottawa Public Health to keep the number of overdoses to a minimum,” Paramedics said in a statement to the Ottawa Citizen.
“Thank you to all the participants who partied safe and followed our safety messages.”
