NSW drug searches at festivals getting tougher, slammed by patrons

NSW police seem to be employing tougher tactics in combating the presence of illegal drugs at music festivals.

Now, if a drug detection dog gives an “indication”, punters will be denied entry – regardless of whether drugs are found on their person.

A Facebook post from NSW Police Force warned that drug detection dogs will be used at this weekend’s Above & Beyond festival at Sydney Showground.

It reminded users that the dogs “can detect the presence of prohibited drugs on someone who has recently had drugs on them.

“If a dog makes an indication, you will be denied entry.”

South West Metropolitan Region commander, assistant commissioner Peter Thurtell reiterated, “Police will exclude any person from the venue that the drug dog indicates has, or who has recently had drugs on them, regardless of whether drugs are located.

“Quite simply, if you handle drugs or use drugs, you will not be permitted to remain at the venue.”

Readers are slamming the announcement, arguing the likelihood of false indications from sniffer dogs, and the risk of innocent patrons unwittingly brushing passed a dealer.

“Penalising people for the failure of the drug dog program is a clear abuse of police powers,” Greens MP David Shoebridge expressed in a statement.

“Young people who have spent upwards of a hundred dollars will see their tickets essentially torn up as some kind of perverse punishment by the police.

“It’s not an offence to have a drug dog falsely indicate you are carrying drugs.”

Thurtell explained that the tactics are getting tougher because “these dance parties can be a dangerous environment, particularly when alcohol and illegal drugs are involved.

“We all know that there is no quality control in the production of illicit drugs and you are putting your life at risk.”

The full post can be read here.

The announcement clashes with news from greener pastures. At the end of March, more than 50 recommendations are believed to have been included in a report delivered to the joint house committee in Victorian parliament, calling for significant changes to the state’s stance on drugs.

The recommendations include a review of the harms and benefits of sniffer dogs at events.

Other recommendations are believed to include changes to drug laws which would lessen or remove offences for people caught with small quantities of drugs, instead referring them to drug rehabilitation.

Calls to cease using sniffer dogs at music festivals have been made several times in the past by politicians.

In 2015, Greens member for Newtown, Jenny Leong, put forward a bill to stop using drug detection dogs at festivals, bars and clubs in New South Wales.