UMass Cancels Return to Fantazia Rave, Citing “The Dangers of Molly”

University of Massachusetts Amherst has cancelled the NVConcepts event ‘Return to Fantazia’ that was scheduled for September 21. The University is officially citing health and safety concerns for the campus community. They plan on taking steps to educate students about the dangers of MDMA.

“In an effort to better understand and respond to these current set of circumstances,  venues in the area and universities in the region are cancelling these events and proactively educating their communities about the dangers of Molly,” said Enku Gelaye, interim vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life at UMass Amherst. “We are broadly engaged in that effort and will be taking the next few weeks to further that conversation on this campus.”

There have been waves MDMA related drugs deaths in the North East this year including two at Electric Zoo, one at in Boston and another after a show in Washington DC. This has lead to speculation from some that an altered batch of MDMA is being exchanged. More will be known when toxicology reports begin to come back and given how big the story has become, it will continue to be discussed in the mainstream media.

The management for the Mullins Center where Return to Fantazia was scheduled to be hosted agreed with the University that given recent events that “it was what needed to be done at this time.”

NVConcepts have not had any similar complications at their events and the move is more of a proactive approach to creating awareness for the drug within the community. Through their Facebook page they admitted disappointment in the decision but will continue to support the University and the commitment to always put safety and education first.

The cancellation will continue to fuel the debate in the scene as to whether these decisions are completely necessary or just being made out of fear. Six Flags in New England also cancelled Electric Adventure originally scheduled for September 28. Whether these cancellations will continue or spread beyond the New England area is yet to be seen.

Pretty Lights is scheduled to play at the Mullins Center on October 30, but it’s unclear whether the cancellation will expand that far.

via UMass

Share On