GEORGE - The Paradiso music festival begins today at the Gorge Amphitheater and the sheriff's office plans to increase their presence in the wake of drug problems during last year's event.

GEORGE - The Paradiso music festival begins today at the Gorge Amphitheater and the sheriff's office plans to increase their presence in the wake of drug problems during last year's event.

Kyle Foreman, of the Grant County Sheriff's Office, said there will be three to four more deputies on duty during each shift and an increase in the undercover officers in the crowd during the two-day event.

Last year's music festival brought about 25,000 people to the Gorge and about 70 people to Quincy Valley Medical Center, at least 40 of those for problems related to drugs or alcohol, according to previous reports from the Columbia Basin Herald. A 21-year-old man died from dehydration and methamphetamine use.

At least 23 people were arrested on various charges during last year's event, including possession of delivery of a controlled substance, trespassing, obstruction and assault.

"Drugs are not allowed at the Gorge, but we know there are going to be folks who sneak them in," Foreman said. "We do our best to stop illegal drug activity. The choice to use drugs is the sole decision of the person ingesting the drugs, and with that drug use comes risk which the user assumes."

The sheriff's office is contracted by Live Nation to provide services in the campground and venue. Live Nation also contracts Crowd Management Services (CMS) to provide on-site security. Foreman said CMS will be receiving training on basic drug recognition to help identify persons with illegal drugs.

"Clearly, security at the Gorge is a daunting task and deputies team up with CMS, working very hard to provide a safe place for people to enjoy music," Foreman said. "The sheriff's office and Live Nation conduct emergency planning prior to concert season, and revise the plans throughout the concert season as situations change."

Earlier in the year, The Gorge Amphitheater General Manager Danny Wilde said that Live Nation will provide physicians at the venue and will have crowd management specialists with experience in electronic music events. He said the venue has already increased the amounts of free water for patrons, a big concern during last year's event. He said that physicians on site will be able to administer IV drips, so patrons complaining of dehydration will clog up QVMC Emergency Room.

Commissioners Carolann Swartz said that neither law enforcement nor Live Nation can completely prevent drug use at The Gorge.

"We can do all that we can, but in the end it is a matter of personal responsibility," she said.

Neither Wilde nor Live Nation's communication office responded to questions as to how many medical or crowd management specialists would be on hand, but they did say that medical staff will be at the campground around the clock, not leave in the early morning like they did during last year's event.