NSW Police To Use Sniffer Dogs at Midnight Mafia, Despite Summit Recommendations

Police sniffer dogs will be monitoring the Midnight Mafia Festival where pill testing is set to be trialled this weekend, despite recommendations from the NSW Drug Summit.

Midnight Mafia is an indoor festival organised by Harder Styles United (HSU), drawing over 21 000 attendees annually. The music festival, held at Sydney Showground, saw thousands of MDMA pills seized back in 2018.

Last year, more than 550 individuals and 250 organisations engaged in the state’s second drug summit to address “new ways forward” to improve outcomes for people impacted by drugs in NSW. 

The report made 56 key recommendations, including proposing to scrap use of sniffer dogs and strip searching for suspected drug possession at music festivals. 

Many attendees at the Drug Summit expressed that the threat of detection and arrest could lead to panic consumption, which would also increase harm. 

Participants also noted that fear of police contact, including at overdose events, would prevent people from accessing harm-reduction services and/or seeking medical help.

Sniffer Dogs Still Deployed at Festivals as NSW Government Ignores Recommendations

Despite these recommendations, police have stated that drug detection dogs will be posted throughout the Midnight Mafia festival at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, focusing on “detecting supply”. 

NSW Police released a statement to City Hub announcing Police attached to South West Metropolitan Region would be conducting a high-visibility operation at the Sydney Olympic Park precinct on Saturday 3 May, with local officers assisted by the Licensing Police, the Dog Unit, and other specialist commands.

South West Metropolitan Operations Manager, Detective Superintendent Brett Van Akker said the safety of festival goers is the top priority.

“We are expecting about 23,000 people to attend the Midnight Mafia music festival with police focussing on anti-social behaviour and alcohol fuelled violence. Any behaviour that puts yourself or others at risk will not be tolerated,” Detective Supt Van Akker said.

“Prohibited drugs are illegal and potentially life-threatening, especially when combined with alcohol. We urge anyone who feels unwell or needs medical assistance to attend one of the medical tents on-site.”

Last month, Health Minister Ryan Park recognised the varying levels of concern from attendees at the NSW Drug Summit in receiving the report, noting “not everyone agreed on everything, but we sought to have every voice listened to”.

The peak organisation for the non-government alcohol and other drugs sector in NSW, The Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), welcomed the NSW Drug Summit Report, urging the state government to respond swiftly. 

NADA Urges NSW Government to Respond Immediately

“The NSW Government now has the mandate they said they needed to make change – now we need to see action,” said Dr Robert Stirling, CEO of NADA.

“There are no big surprises in the report which is pleasing to see, and the sector is united on much of what is covered. However, we note that many of the 56 priority actions were already covered in the ‘Ice Inquiry’ Report, and it’s time to get on with meaningful reform,” Dr Stirling said. 

Dr Stirling expressed a hope that the NSW government would prioritise the  “whole-of-government alcohol and other drug strategy”, stating that this would bring together the alcohol and other drug sector, along with culturally diverse communities, other health services, law enforcement, and social services to work together to better support people.”

Greens Criticise Drug Summit Outcomes as Politically Safe

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann criticised the report for falling short and failing to meaningfully engage with experts, stating that the recommendations had been “softened to make them politically palatable for a risk-averse Premier.”

“The number one priority for the majority of attendees to reduce drug harm was to remove criminal penalties for drug use and possession. It’s extremely disappointing that this was not a recommendation,” MP Faehrmann said. 

“The report has recommended the use of drug detection dogs and strip searching cease during the current trial of drug-checking services at music festivals, with consideration to extending this to all music festivals. There doesn’t seem to be any logic as to why this can’t extend to all music festivals immediately rather than appeasing the police. The Coronial Inquest into Deaths at Music Festivals found that the presence of drug dogs can lead people to engage in riskier drug-taking behaviour which can have fatal consequences,” MP Faehrmann added. 

Midnight Mafia Second Music Festival to Trial Pill Testing

Midnight Mafia will be the second music festival to trial pill testing, with the first trial occurring at the Yours and Owls music festival in Wollongong in March. 

The free and anonymous drug checking service allows festival patrons to bring a small sample of substances they intend to consume to be analysed. Qualified health staff provide a rapid evaluation of the main components of the substance in line with available technology, and an indication of potency where possible.

The service is staffed by peer workers, health workers and analysts who clearly communicate the capabilities and limitations of pill testing to festival patrons. Patrons are never advised that a drug is safe to use.

The trial will run for 12 months and will be independently evaluated. Following Midnight Mafia, up to ten additional festivals will be included in the trial. 

The organiser of Midnight Mafia released a statement, warning attendees to expect the presence of police and sniffer dogs at the festival. 

“We do not condone the possession or use of drugs at our events. The safest option is always not to use drugs, but, if you choose to, this service may help you stay safe,” the company said in an Instagram post. 

The drug checking service will be located next to the care space and medical tent.