Dying To Party
Marie Claire Australia|March 2019

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.

Cat Rodie
Dying To Party

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 {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MARIE CLAIRE AUSTRALIAView all
SHANNEN DOHERTY
Marie Claire Australia

SHANNEN DOHERTY

The rebellious actor died in July after a nine-year battle with cancer. Zara Wong looks back at the legacy of a woman who always lived on her own terms

time-read
8 mins  |
September 2024
IN THE WILDS OF ALASKA
Marie Claire Australia

IN THE WILDS OF ALASKA

Nature served up a spectacular array of delights, while cruising the majestic waters of the far north.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Back to EARTH
Marie Claire Australia

Back to EARTH

In its earliest days, the farm bred draught horses for export. Now Tasmania's 1840 cottage Leighton House has been restored as a glorious getaway

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
ODE to LIGHT
Marie Claire Australia

ODE to LIGHT

Created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian in 2011, Elie Saab's Le Parfum has since gained a cult following and become an industry icon. Here, Sally Hunwick uncovers the origins of the stunning chypre floral scent

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
JEN ATKIN
Marie Claire Australia

JEN ATKIN

The Ouai beauty guru is regularly called on by the Kardashians and a host of other A-listers. Here, she talks about hair, her beauty cupboard and how she keeps up her energy levels

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
A NEW DIRECTION
Marie Claire Australia

A NEW DIRECTION

When she was 16, Jordan Lambropoulos told her surgeon she'd rather die than wake up with a colostomy bag. Today - 10 years, countless operations and 14,000 Instagram followers later - she's proof that a colostomy bag is not the end. In fact, it can be the beginning of a whole new life

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
LADY LUCK
Marie Claire Australia

LADY LUCK

Rosalía takes her accessories as seriously as she takes her art. The Spanish musician spent three years working on her much-lauded album Motomami, finessing the details and perfecting the finishing touches. And when it comes to her outfits, she's no less specific

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Wait... superhero movies are cool now?
Marie Claire Australia

Wait... superhero movies are cool now?

Who had Emma Corrin and Juno Temple as supervillians on their 2024 bingo card?

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
CURTAIN CALLING
Marie Claire Australia

CURTAIN CALLING

Brisbane-born star Vidya Makan steps into the shoes of America's founding mother in the long-awaited return of Hamilton

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
LEIGH-ANNE
Marie Claire Australia

LEIGH-ANNE

The English singer on colourism, freedom and reuniting Little Mix

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024