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35 drug arrests after Melbourne rave party
October 8, 2006 - 10:00AM
The Age: Link
Related Article from Friday's Mx, p. 2. not available online
Sniffer dog fear at rave
Did anyone that went last night have any comments about the sniffer dogs and how they influenced your night, if at all?
October 8, 2006 - 10:00AM
The Age: Link
Thirty-five people have been arrested for drug offences after police targeted a Melbourne rave party.
The ravers were part of a group of about 7500 who attended the [event] dance party at Melbourne Park overnight.
Police with sniffer dogs targeted people entering the dance festival and found some with ecstasy and speed.
Senior Constable Mia Paterson said police welcomed the small number of arrests.
"Police are generally happy with the crowd behaviour," she said.
The [event] has recently been held in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.
Related Article from Friday's Mx, p. 2. not available online
Sniffer dog fear at rave
A drug expert has called for a review of the use of sniffer dogs at dance parties as revellers gear up for tomorrow's [event].
Police have flagged the use of sniffer dogs at [event] to reduce possible drug overdoses.
But Turning Point research fellow Dr Jen Johnston said today there was evidence to suggest the dogs could do more harm than good.
"It certainly is a concern that there's some anecdotal evidence to suggest that sniffer dogs do impact on people's drug behaviour and patterns of use in ways that potentially can cause more harm," she said.
"There are reports that people are taking all their drugs at once when they see sniffer dogs or hiding them in ways that can cause harm.
"It certainly is a concern and something that needs to be looked into."
Johnston pointed to a recent report from the NSW State Ombudsman which said that state's sniffer dog squad should be scrapped.
The Ombudsman found more than 10,000 people were singled out by the NSW sniffer dogs in pubs, train stations, on the streets and at dance parties in two years, but only 19 were prosecuted.
Ravesafe co-ordinator Purple Hazelwood said party goers could overdose when confronted with sniffer dogs.
"People react to sniffer dogs by taking a whole bunch of drugs before they go, or when they see the dogs, dropping everything that they have got on them," she said.
Victoria Police drug and alcohol strategy unit head Insp Steve James said the concerns were "urban myth".
He said police were trained in first aid and worked closely with event organisers to ensure the health of revellers.
Did anyone that went last night have any comments about the sniffer dogs and how they influenced your night, if at all?