The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

The student news site of El Camino College

El Camino College The Union

Music festivals are not the problem, people are

L.A. County should not ban festivals because of the carelessness of others. The owners of the events are already making changes for the betterment of the people.

Music festivals like Together As One (TAO) and Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) used to thrive in L.A. County until it was banned and sent to Las Vegas according to YourEDM, a website aimed at music festival news.

But with the imposing dangers of drugs and deaths at these music festivals, L.A. County would like to ban these events entirely, according to YourEDM.

They will be regulated more heavily now in other places across the country, from Ultra Music Festival, in Miami, to the various other EDCs like Orlando and New York.

Tens of thousands of people flock to these events every year and the organizers make an incredible profit for themselves, for the DJs and even for the venue owners so L.A. County would lose the opportunity to make money because someone died.

This past August, two girls died due to drug overdoses at the HARD Summer music festival at the Pomona Fairplex, which is one of the main catalysts for banning festivals.

One of those young girls who passed away was a classmate of mine in high school and though I, very respectfully, would like to give my thoughts and prayers to her family and close friends, it does not change the fact that she overdosed and was responsible for her actions.

She took it a bit too far when she was trying to enjoy her experience, but others who seek to enjoy the experience at an event, close in proximity, should not suffer.

A lot of people do drugs, smoke marijuana, or drink alcohol at festivals and similar events while trying to listen to the music and enjoy their favorite artists. People are the ones taking the risk when they use these drugs to heighten their experience.

Most festivals strictly prohibit the use of drugs, but people still take drugs before going in or sneak it in. Also, people who are 21 just buy alcohol and get drunk.

There should be more done for the safety of customers at these events, and there should be more employees and EMTs walking around in case these young people take it too far.

People have died many times before during other festivals and events. Just because a couple of young girls died at HARD Summer, they want to change and take the music scene from L.A County.

If L.A. County wants to ban music festivals they can, but losing out on so much would be a waste, considering the fact that organizers will pay large sums of money not only for the venue, but for the profit from ticket sales.

Updated on Sept. 9, 2015 at 6;04 p.m.

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