Hello everyone,

It has been a huge few days, and today is the biggest. It has been seven years since I lost my son Daniel. It never gets easier, and with all the news of multiple overdoses at festivals over the weekend, today is even harder. I'm relieved to hear that so far no-one has lost their life to a drug-related overdose. No parent should have to get that knock on the door, like I did seven years ago today.

On Friday, I was in Sydney delivering this petition to NSW Parliament. Michael Daley, the NSW opposition leader, was nearly moved to tears after he heard Daniel's story. He's a dad with adult kids who attend music festivals. He understands that no matter how much we love our kids, how much we try to protect them, we can't always stop them from trying things. Like me, he wants to keep young people as safe as possible.

Michael announced he was inviting me to Labor's Drug Summit, which he promised to put on as soon as possible if they are elected in March. I am grateful to be recognised as an expert and I am confident that if this summit happens, the experts will agree that pill testing is necessary. It can't come soon enough.

While we fight for pill testing, I feel like Daniel's spirit is still alive. Below, you can read the open letter I wrote for the people attending Rainbow Serpent, the festival that Daniel attended when he left us. This is the spirit in which I fight: with an open heart and a sense of understanding and compassion.

We cannot shame young people into behaving a certain way. I believe we need to give young people all the information that's out there and let them know the real risks. Most importantly, we need to let out kids know that our door is always open to them, no matter their choices.

Today, I would give anything to have Daniel come back to my door, but he is with me in this work that I do - that we all do.

Thank you for your support, especially today.

Adriana

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Dear Rainbow family and friends,

How fast has time gone.

With Xmas and NY over, some of you have made NY resolutions that may include attending Rainbow. I know for my son, Dan, that this time of the year was very special as he looked forward to spending four days in the bush with like-minded people on the dance floor and enjoying the opportunity to be his authentic self.

Nothing brings people closer together than a sense of belonging to a community like Rainbow's; not to mention the great music. That sense of togetherness and celebration is certainly something to aspire to in this sometimes bleak world. Remember that the universe loves us all and connects us in ways we cannot always imagine.

In life generally, and at Rainbow, some of us search for personal experiences that enable us to feel individual and unique to the world. Sadly, some of us search for these personal experiences assisted by substances that have the capacity to end life. It's not my intention to be a downer. I too am a child of the universe and the 70s. I know the feeling and have also walked the path of finding self.

Instead, my intention is to send you all as much love, stamina, courage and integrity to spend time at Rainbow while encouraging you all to consider making wise decisions in order to achieve your personal experiences. At this time in our history, there are no safety precautions to test any substances you may choose to ingest. One pill can kill, my loved ones. It’s the truth. Dan loved going to Rainbow but he chose unwisely and paid the ultimate price.

I need you all to make yourself a promise to have a great time discover who you are, but go home to those who love and care about you.

There are precautions and harm reduction strategies you can arm yourself with but nothing else beats your determination and self-care.

My promise to you all is simply this; I, together with others, will ensure that a safety net like pill testing will never be off the community radar but front and centre. I am determined to ensure Dan did not die in vain to be just a statistic. Nothing happens by accident, it’s all in the design and I promise to fight for your safety until the end of days or sensible drugs policy; whatever comes first.

I wish you a wonderful Rainbow. While you dance, Dan's spirit is alive.

Much love to you all.
Forever yours, Adrianna aka Dazzles mum