Image: AAP Image, Samantha Lock
by GRACE JOHNSON
NSW Police had a ‘field day’ with drug-related charges at Sydney’s Field Day Music Festival, held at The Domain on New Year’s Day.
Following the police operation at the dance festival, officers charged 25 people with drug offences.
The operation targeted anti-social behaviour, alcohol-related crime, and the supply of illegal drugs both inside and outside the venue, according to a police statement.
With more than 24,000 people at the music festival, 91 were detected in possession of illicit drugs, including ecstasy, MDMA, cocaine, ketamine, cannabis and LSD.
Major arrests included six people arrested and charged with drug supply offences.
One 23-year-old man alone was in possession of 60 ecstasy tablets. He was granted conditional bail and will appear before court on February 29.
A 28-year-old man was issued a field court attendance notice for possessing a knife in a public place, and a 25-year-old man was arrested and charged with domestic violence assault.
In total, police issued 23 court attendance notices for drug offences, 24 cannabis cautions and 41 criminal infringement notices were issued for drug possession.
Calls for pill testing continue
This Field Day Music Festival saw 84 people treated by paramedics and three taken to hospital.
Though there have been no reported deaths, the start of the summer festival season has intensified concerns for drug usage at music events.
Since the death of two young men at a music festival last year from a suspected drug overdose, calls have increased to introduce pill testing. The start of the summer festival season has only intensified these calls, which NSW Labor has continued to ignore.
In October, Labor MP Cameron Murphy split with Chris Minns on the matter, saying an “urgent” trial during this summer’s music festival season could save lives.
At the end of November 2023, Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, a spokesperson for drug harm reduction, introduced legislation in the Upper House of Parliament that would allow a trial of pill testing at music festivals and a fixed site across New South Wales.
At the time, Ms Faehrmann said, “All the experts agree that pill testing reduces the potential harm from drugs, by alerting people to what’s in a drug they might be about to consume, and by providing vital information as to how to stay as safe as possible if they intend to take it.”
