SAPOL sniffer dogs will check concert goers at Elder Park

Police sniffer dogs will be deployed on concert goers on Sunday as SAPOL insists there will be no change to its drug activities after two interstate festival deaths.

• Tide turning as pollies warm to pill testing calls
• Falls revellers back calls for pill testing amid police blitz
• Why pill testing could stop people taking them

Sniffer dogs will check concertgoers at Elder Park on Sunday following the deaths of two young men interstate at music festivals and several people being taken to hospital linked to taking pills.

Police says they will patrol the festival as “normal” with no relaxation of vigilance against illicit drugs simply because it is a music festival aimed at young people having fun.

The FOMO event at Elder Park on Sunday comes as families interstate mourn two men in their 20s who died after attending festivals in NSW and Victoria, and after organisers of an event in Victoria put out an alert telling concertgoers to beware of orange pills.

FOMO organisers have not issued any such alert and have posted on their website that they will no longer respond to media inquiries.

SA Police say they are not planning to have a larger presence or to change tactics following the interstate tragedies.

SAPOL released a statement in response to questions from The Advertiser.

“There will be normal police presence as SAPOL always do for these type of events with uniformed police presence in addition to plain clothes officers as well as the Drug Detection Dogs,” it says.

“The Drug Detection Dogs will screen people entering the event and they risk being arrested, reported for drug sale, possession or consumption as per the law, legislation and policy.

“There is no increased tolerance for drug offending.

“SAPOL’S main focus at these events is the health and safety of everyone attending and reducing the serious harm caused by illicit drugs.

“There is no amount of illicit drugs that can be taken safely. Police would therefore encourage anyone attending this event to not bring any illicit drugs with them.

“If they do, they risk getting a criminal record if caught in addition to causing themselves, friends or others serious or life threatening harm. Police do not want this to occur to anyone.”

Police have been working closely with event organisers to ensure everyone enjoys the festival in safety.

Australian Medical Association state president Associate Professor William Tam urged concertgoers to care for each other.

He said some young people caught up in the excitement of the event may be tempted to act out of character and considering taking a pill — despite having no idea what is in it.

“Friends need to step up and look out for each other,” he said.

“People may act on impulse and do things they would not normally do — this is a time friends need to look after each other, not do silly things, and be aware these drugs can be lethal.”