News

UMass Amherst cancels electronic dance party in wake of 'Molly' incidents

AMHERST, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst officials are canceling the school's Sept. 21 electronic dance party at the Mullins Center citing health and safety concerns for the campus community.

Officials decided to cancel the Return to Fantazia concert in the wake of several Molly-related deaths that have been associated with electronic dance parties at venues in New England and New York.

"In an effort to better understand and respond to these current set of circumstances, venues in the area and universities in the region are cancelling these events and proactively educating their communities about the dangers of Molly," said Enku Gelaye, interim vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life at UMass Amherst. "We are broadly engaged in that effort and will be taking the next few weeks to further that conversation on this campus."

In an e-mail, Gelaye advised students of the dangers of Molly and noted that the drug is a dangerous, illegal stimulant prohibited by the UMass Amherst Code of Student Conduct.

Several campus offices, including University Health Services, the Center for Health Promotion, the Dean of Students Office and the police department, are helping to disseminate information about Molly and its effects.