Since 2012, these 12 people have died at Australian music festivals – five in the last six months. In the wake of the most recent drug overdoses, the debate over allowing pill testing at these events is mounting. Three women at the forefront of the issue speak to Cat Rodie about the fight to end the fatalities.
ADRIANA BUCCIANTI
In 2012, Adriana Buccianti got the news that every parent dreads – her son, Daniel, 34, had been found dead after taking drugs at a music festival in Victoria. Following the death of a young woman at a Sydney festival two years later, she has become a passionate advocate for pill testing.
Daniel was a smart, curious and loving young man. He worked hard as a chef, and in disability care. He also liked to party with his friends. We were more like friends than mother and son. I can count on one hand the number of arguments we had.
I knew that Daniel took drugs occasionally, but it didn’t concern me too much. He was sensible and didn’t take many risks.
Daniel turned 34 in January, 2012. I bought him a new watch, but he told me to take it back. Instead, he wanted a ticket to the Rainbow Serpent music festival. While we talked on the phone, I went online to buy the ticket. Just before I hit “purchase” I said, “Do you really want to go?” He hesitated, and then said, “Yeah, I’ll go.”
The festival took place on a scorching-hot weekend. I thought of Daniel often while I stayed at home babysitting my granddaughter (my daughter’s daughter), who was four at the time.
At 6 pm Daniel phoned me, sounding panicked. He’d taken something, some “bad acid”, and was stressing out. He begged me to pick him up.
This story is from the March 2019 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2019 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE DISCOUNTED
Four game-changing women share why they want economic empowerment included in the conversation this International Women’s Day
home HAVEN
Sophie Bell, founder of Peppa Hart, invites us into her calming quarters, writes Samantha Stewart
BEHIND THE SCENES with PETER PHILIPS
An intimate backstage moment with the legendary creative and image director for Dior Makeup
MIAH MADDEN
The Australian actor on her biggest fashion crime, party tricks and the women who have shaped her
TAYLOR SWIFT
As she hits our shores in February, music writer Cameron Adams charts the unbelievable career of the world’s biggest music artist, from her Nashville country music roots to her record-smashing Eras tour
The road to NIRVANA
Editor Georgie Abay lands in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan for the adventure of a lifetime
makes SUN sense
What if we saw a suntan for what it really is: a visible sign that skin has been damaged? Sherine Youssef looks behind the golden facade
RUNWAY to DEBT
Modelling agencies are ecruiting young people who have fled war-torn African countries and are living in extreme poverty. They are flown to Europe to take part n fashion castings, but some return within days or weeks, often laden with debt
CALLUM TURNER
The British actor shares tales from the front line, why you should play your heroes and his love for Free Willy
ALL ABOUT JESS
Chart-topping Australian singer Jessica Mauboy talks love, lonliness and music legend Whitney Houston on the eve of her new release, Yours Forever