Australia arrests more than 150 people at music festival for using stimulants
More than 150 people were arrested at a music festival in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on the evening of September 29 when police conducted a drug test.
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| A total of 154 people were arrested for using stimulant drugs. Photo: theaustralian.com.au |
The New South Wales Police said that the music festival, which took place on the evening of September 29 at Centennial Park in central Sydney, had about 34,000 attendees. A total of 154 people were arrested for using stimulants, of which five were accused of supplying drugs. That means that one in 214 people was using stimulants.
Karen McCarthy, the festival's security officer, said the majority of festival-goers were well-behaved, but a small group continued to use and distribute illegal drugs, despite warnings.“We are making arrests because the safety and well-being of attendees is our top priority,” said Karen McCarthy.
At the festival, seven people were taken to hospital for drug-related problems.
The issue of ensuring safety for music festival participants is currently of great concern to Australian authorities as the use of stimulants is becoming more and more common at music festivals that attract a large number of participants, especially teenagers.
Two weeks ago, two young men died at a music festival in Penrith, also in New South Wales, and about 700 others needed medical attention.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has asked the state's Police Commissioner and other agencies to find a solution to drug deaths at festivals.
