A bump in the prices for admission tickets to a European festival might unintentionally cause a spike in the circulation of drugs. According to reports, “nineteen percent of festival goers expect to use more drugs than usual this season due to the increased ticket prices.”
Attendees find the ecstasy pills more affordable rather than the overpriced beer and food available at the festival. “For 20 euros, you have an ecstasy pill and a whole day of water at a festival. With beer and food, you spend three times as much,” one survey respondent said.
When it comes to the youth, they already have limited disposable income and the price plays a huge factor in swaying them towards the cheaper options. Based on the study findings, “nearly half, 43 percent, said they plan to drink less or buy cheaper drinks. A quarter will eat less or cheaper.”
It’s not just attendees that are struggling. Festival organizers are forced to deal with high inflation. Some smaller festivals shut down their operations. Other event hosts made the festival possible by increasing ticket costs. Respondents mentioned Pinkpop, Defqon, Awakenings, and Down the Rabbit Hole as festivals that spiked up the entrance rates.
“Over a third, 37 percent, of young festival goers have to skip one or more festivals this year because of the increased price.” For the lucky ones that managed to afford the tickets, they are engaging in money-saving hacks like taking drugs instead of purchasing drinks and food. Ecstasy pills can function as an appetite suppressant but it’s wild to believe that the pills are more attainable than a hot dog and beer.
According to one respondent, ticket prices are expected to increase and there is no way to avoid it. “No one can escape inflation; festivals simply have to pass on their costs,” one respondent said. “Better an expensive festival than no festival at all.”
Some people believe public funding doesn’t need to be allocated to the festivals; it’s more so a privilege rather than a necessity. “Visiting festivals is not a fundamental right. Let’s spend public money on combating poverty in everyday life instead of making this kind of luxury accessible,” a respondent added. “The only festival that can be paid for with public money is the Liberation Day Festival.”
The youngsters are going to be in an altered state at the festival but their wallets will thank them the next morning.