Anger at -˜overzealous’ drug bust
Health and safety experts have criticised the overzealous policing that led to 26 arrests and the premature shutdown of the Azure dance party for drug-related activity on Sunday.
A total of 40 charges were laid related to possession and supply of ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, speed, GHB and cannabis, with nine people at the estimated 5,000-strong party detected with a trafficable amount.
Matt Horan from Azure’s Iris Group said everyone was disappointed with the way the night ended, but they had tried to work closely with the police and emergency services.
Sniffer dogs greeted patrons as they arrived for the outdoor event in the Domain, in what the police described as an ongoing operation to target drug use and supply in the area.
The NSW ombudsman recommended the use of sniffer dogs be scrapped last year after a two-year investigation, declaring the use of drug detection dogs has proven to be an ineffective tool for detecting drug dealers.
Dr Alex Wodak from St Vincent’s Drug and Alcohol Service warned that excessive policing can cause as much harm as no policing.
Overzealous policing, like we saw on Sunday, creates harm by causing people to ingest their drugs hurriedly and in more concentrated form; it’s a problem because it actually happens, he said.
Wodak said that concentrated drugs are attractive to users who fear police inspection because they occupy a smaller space and are easier to hide in a body cavity, wallet or socks.
In concentrated form the divide between a toxic dose and a safe dose is much harder to judge, especially in that environment.
Following the arrests, the police sought a warrant for the early closure of the event, dispersing patrons from the area monitored by ACON rovers.
People who are taking powerful psychoactive substances need to be monitored, Wodak said. If they get into trouble, someone can pounce on them, take them to the hospital. Alone, they’re at greater risk.
Ryan Murphy, who had just begun his DJ set when the event was closed at 9pm, said the police’s actions increased the public health risk.
They have lost the community’s faith in their ability to act in the interests of the greater majority.
ACON CEO Stevie Clayton said covert policing was more effective in removing drug supply and did not cause the same risk to public health and safety.
Responding to these criticisms, assistant commissioner Dave Owens said he found it offensive that someone would condone the use of illicit drugs that can result in people overdosing or dying.
He said the decision to close the party was made on all the facts present once the arrests were made, but he praised the behaviour of the majority.
Even when the decision was made to close the event, whilst they were not happy, the crowd remained very well behaved and were not abusive in any way towards the police.
But Owens said he did not want to dissuade people from enjoying Mardi Gras.
Have a great night, enjoy yourselves, and look after your mates -“ however, we will not tolerate the sale or use of illicit drugs or any other kind of criminal behaviour, he said.
