BUTLER (UPDATE 7 P.M.) — More than 20 people were taken to OhioHealth Mansfield on Saturday and treated after apparently reacting to a THC-laced candy at during a music festival held at Ohio Dreams in Butler.
There were no deaths and authorities report all who fell victim to the incident appear to be OK. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana.
Emergency personnel from throughout the county rushed to Butler in response to a series of overdoses during a concert, Richland County Sheriff Steve Sheldon said.
“There were approximately 20 to 50 overdoses during the performance from one of the acts,” Sheldon told Richland Source.
Emergency personnel from as far away as Shelby, in the northern part of the county, raced to the scene, at the southern edge of Richland County.
According to multiple reports, event goers were given Nerd candy packets that were laced with a substance that is believed to have triggered the reaction.
As of 5:30 p.m. there were 23 people treated at OhioHealth Mansfield, according to spokesperson Nicole Workman. Narcan is being used to treat victims.
“We cannot confirm what kind,” Workman said.
Ohio Dreams is an action sports summer camp at 3495 Tugend Road in Butler. The camp had rented their grounds to the promotion company behind the festival. A Machine Gun Kelly concert was slated for this weekend as part of Everybody Stands Together Fest, the Last Weekend on Earth show.
Richland County Sheriff’s Captain Don Zehmner said 24 people were affected but no one lost consciousness. METRICH is working on the case but the substance causing the reaction has not yet been identified.
Zehner said vehicles were searched before being admitted to the venue but inspectors were probably not prepared to look for candy.
“We can’t speculate on how people got the drugs, we’ve heard many stories,” Zehner said.
No one has been arrested in connection with the case, although authorities are continuing their probe, Zehner said. There will be a media release with more details at the first of the week.
James McMillan, CEO of Everybody Stands Together, thanked local emergency personnel for the quick response.
“The community has come together to unite and enjoy music it’s disappointing and regretful actions of a few are able to disrupt a such a good spirited celebration,” McMillan said. “At this time, we are working with the sheriff’s department and police to find the persons responsible. We are taking every precaution to (make sure) the attendees have a safe time.”
Authorities said the festival is continuing as planned this weekend.
