When peo
ple hear the name “Bonnaroo,” three things come to mind: hippies, music and drugs. Bonnaroo is an annual music festival held each June on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, TN. This festival attracts electric acts like Jay-Z, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Kings of Leon, Elton John, The Allman Brothers, Bassnectar and The Black Keys. Music-lovers come from all over the world to hear these 100+ bands perform.
However, the underlying issue that is continually pushed under the rug is drug and alcohol abuse.
According to 
Bonnaroo.com, it states that each vehicle will be searched and I quote, “we’ll find out just how carefully you’ve read about what’s allowed in and what’s not.” These items are listed and state that no glass container or illegal substances are allowed in.
So the question remains, why are some of the 100,000+ attendees abusing drugs at this festival?
On Bonnaroo’s website it lists warning signs of drug or alcohol overdose. It says, “If you or a friend are in trouble, please seek out medical help IMMEDIATELY. Medical and security are safe havens at Bonnaroo, and you will not get in trouble for anything you do or say. Their only concern is your well-being.”
There is even a part of this festival called, ‘Soberoo’. This is a group of clean & sober music fans who choose to remain drug and alcohol free at Bonnaroo and other music festivals. But shouldn’t the festival remain ‘Soberoo’ in the first place?
Last year, according to Nashville’s WSMV Channel 4 news, 2 California men heading to Bonnaroo were arrested on drug charges. Police recovered 10 grams of cocaine, 207.5 grams of marijuana, 49.3 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, 5.5 Adderall pills without a prescription and 22 tramadol pain pills prescribed to one of the arrested men’s brothers. Bonds were set for the two men at $297,000 and $228,000.
So if you or any of your friends are making the trip to Machester for the music festival, make the smart decision and report any illegal drug activity or alcohol abuse you see.
