As was reported on Sunday, this year’s Electric Zoo Festival in New York City was cancelled on the third and final day due t0 the unfortunate deaths of two attendees, Jeffrey Russ, 23, and Olivia Rotundo, 20. Both were suspected overdoses from the ever-increasing popular drug Molly, the supposed “purest form” of MDMA (the main ingredient in Ecstacy). Four others were hospitalized over the weekend as well.

Unfortunately, there is more bad news to come from Electric Zoo this weekend, as A Walk in the Park reports that a 16-year old girl was sexually assaulted and 31 people were arrested for various offenses including drug sales, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and possession of controlled substances; two of the arrests were felonies. In the case of the sexual assault, the victim woke up at some point on Friday “under a van in a parking lot with her pants undone and bruises and scratches on her legs.

Sources have said that security at the event was non-existent, as many were not even given a pat down. And now The New York Post reports that the NYPD has opened a homicide investigation into the deaths. Unfortunately, it will be too difficult to pinpoint any one primary source as a potential party that sold these two victims the drugs, as they were not friends and there was over 100,000+ people at the event over the weekend. Also, an incident in Boston happened over the weekend at a Zedd concert, in which there was one death and several overdoses due to Molly, forcing the performer to cancel the second night.

This is unfortunate and tragic, and speaks of an ever-increasing trend in the EDM scene of rampant drug use. It’s going beyond the “recreational” label that many would give it, and has become a serious epidemic. For many, it is not so much about the music, as it is about the party. All you have to do is listen to some conversations around you, watch the people around you and how they act, and it’s plain to see. This doesn’t go for everybody, but percentages are most certainly going up. Moderation has gone completely out the door, and given way to excess.

Be careful out there. Watch out, not just for your friends and loved ones, but for the people around you. The change starts with each and every one of us. Remember, if you aren’t there for the sheer enjoyment that the music gives you, and for being around your friends and people of a like mind, then you shouldn’t be there at all. Drug use is going to happen in all walks of life, but being aware of what you are putting into your body, being aware of your surroundings, and the people you surround yourself with, can mean the difference between life and death. This is a lesson that you do not want to learn the hard way.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those that were lost this weekend, and for those that are still hospitalized and recovering.