Photo: Ashley Mar

Woman Critical Following Suspected Drug Overdose At Field Day

A woman is reportedly fighting for her life in hospital after overdosing on MDMA at Field Day 2016.

Fairfax reports the 23-year-old was admitted after collapsing at the Sydney New Years Day event and being rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

Four other people were also hospitalised after Field Day, with a total of 212 being treated by paramedics at the festival itself.

It’s also been reported that police charged a total of 184 punters with drug offences, eight of those for dealing.

A 26-year-old woman was allegedly caught with 100 ecstasy caps and a 19-year-old man was nabbed with 81. Both have been charged with drug supply offences and granted conditional bail, to front court later this month.

Chief Inspector Stuart Bell, of the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad, addressed the festival’s drug issues in a statement:

“While most revellers were well-behaved, 184 drug related arrests shows that there are still some who think they can get away with possessing and supplying drugs. We will continue to target drugs, alcohol-related crime, and anti-social behaviour, particularly at music festivals. Police will continue to run these operations and work with the festival organisers to ensure music-lovers can attend festivals and enjoy themselves in a safe, drug-free environment.  We make no apologies for finding people who supply and possess drugs, and putting them before the courts.”
The Enforcement Squad conducted both “overt and covert” operations at Field Day, which included the use of sniffer dogs.

It comes just weeks after the annual Stereosonic festival, which saw one punter in Sydney and another in Adelaide lose their lives due to drug use.

The tragedies prompted calls from several big name artists to implement drug testing facilities at Australian music festivals.

A Music Feeds Poll which attracted over 10,000 votes further indicated a whopping 83.48% of festivalgoers are in favour of drug testing at such events.

 

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