Drug educators petition for presence at next year’s Paradiso Festival

Following the death of a drug overdose victim at a Gorge Amphitheater music festival, a drug education group wants to run a program during next year’s event.

So far, promoters of the event are refusing to let Stay Safe Seattle inside. The local non-profit goes into clubs and parties, trying to make drug use more safe.

Dax Johnson told KING 5 that the drug educators, “Don’t tell you exactly (what) not to do, but they give you the knowledge.”

Stay Safe has started a petition drive and, to date, they’ve collected 200 signatures.

They hope to convince USC events, the promoters that run the Paradiso Festival, to welcome them to the event next year.

KIRO Radio’s Frank Shiers contributed to this report.