Pain killer ‘WariActiv’ eyed as cause of Pasay concert deaths
A muscle pain killer called “WariActiv,” which is also billed as a “laughing gas,” could be one of the drugs used by some of the victims who collapsed and died of heart attack during the May 21 CloseUp Forever Summer concert in Pasay City, Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said on Tuesday.
Sotto said WariActiv could be bought over-the-counter and even via Internet for P750 up to P1,500.
“At the risk of being tagged a killjoy by our gym buffs, bikers and sports enthusiasts, I have now come to a conclusion that there is a newcomer on the list of suspected killer substances that goes by the brand name off WariActiv,” he said in a privilege speech.
“It is presently an over-the-counter commodity in our drug stores and sold even via the Internet for P750 up to P1,500. It is promoted at the Internet for people who go to rave parties and just want to be happy,” the senator said.
Sotto endorsed WariActiv for scrutiny and tests by the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Food and Drug Agency to determine the need for protocol for its purchase.
“It is likewise billed as laughing gas, and Internet news reveals deaths in its misuse in other parts of the world,” he said.
“This could well be one of the drugs or substances used by some of the victims in the concert,” the senator added.
At least five people died during the concert allegedly due to party drug overdose.
READ: 5 dead at Pasay City concert
Sotto noted that the “rave phenomenon” among the youth now has become an “enabler and facilitator” of the illegal drugs trade, use and abuse. Marijuana and mind-altering substances, he said, are openly peddled and presumed.
“It’s a different ballgame, Mr. President. We don’t mean to curtail their fun, we just want them to stay alive after the party’s over,” he said.
“If we don’t act immediately, we might be facing a drug problem with catastrophic proportions. Even if we remove all the pushers, we will be defeated if we do not embark on a serious nationwide rehabilitation program and a massive prevention program nationwide,” he further said. RAM/rga
READ: Party’s over for ‘drug supplier’ in Pasay concert deaths
