Over the past few weeks, rapper Illy has become a pretty prominent voice on the issue of having drug testing facilities at music festivals, and he’s now weighed in on the issue of funding such services.
One of the main arguments against drug testing at music festivals is that tax payers shouldn’t have to pay for people to take risks and indulge in illegal behaviour.
Taking to Twitter, Illy says the cost of funding drug testing services would be “a drop in the ocean” compared to the money the Government has spent “to accommodate mining, ruin the reef” and build the new casino at Bennelong in Sydney.
“Being a musician, and being at festivals, is my job. I don’t go there to get fucked up. I’m not saying this in self interest,” Illy says.
“But young people are going out and not coming home. And that is fucked. And anyone who says “they knew the risk” is fucked too IMO. And when we’re able to do something about that, but don’t, for one of the reasons I’ve said, then that, to me, is stupid and short sighted.”
Illy first spoke out about drug testing at festivals after 25 year-old Sylvia Choi died at the Sydney leg of Stereosonic 2015. Following Ms Choi’s death, 19 year-old Stefan Woodward died at Stereosonic in Adelaide.
Reiterating his initial point in his tweets today, Illy says, “I don’t think upholding a hardline stance should come b4 kids safety, when we can possibly prevent shit by changing our approach.”
This week, Music Feeds collected over 10,000 votes in a poll about whether or not we should implement drug testing at music festivals. People voted overwhelmingly in favour of yes with 83.4% of voters believing that we should implement drug testing.
Read Illy’s full chain of tweets regarding the subject below.
Listen: Illy – Swear Jar
https://youtu.be/4x_gPrt0bGo
I've kind of stumbled into this spot where I'm being interviewed about drug testing, like I'm an expert on it. So allow me to frame this..
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
I'm a musician. I (barely) speak for a section of young people. This is an important issue for the youth, bc it basically only affects us.
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
I disagree with a "just say no" approach because the middle age+ ppl saying that grew up with ppl experimenting. They know how young ppl do
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
Because they were young once too. Unless they are lizard people who were born at 45. And even then, they prob still dabbled at one point.
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
I disagree with the funding argument bc we find ways to accommodate mining, ruin the reef etc.. Drug testing $ would be a drop in the ocean
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
Compared to the $ spent on these things. Or the new casino in Sydney. Or a million other things that don't disproportionately affect youth.
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
https://twitter.com/illyal/status/675088191939047425
https://twitter.com/illyal/status/675088477818626048
And when we're able to do something about that, but don't, for one of the reasons I've said, then that, to me, is stupid and short sighted
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
So anyway, you can disagree, but that's my take. Anything written beyond what I've just said is potentially not my words. These are 100%
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
So really, anyone wanting to interview me on this shit, just quote those last tweets. And..
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
Bottom line, I dont think upholding a hardline stance should come b4 kids safety, when we can possibly prevent shit by changing our approach
— Illy (@illyal) December 10, 2015
