Amnesty drug bins available outside Field Day music festival

The controversial amnesty drug bins, which made their debut during Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, will be out again today for the Field Day music festival. The bins allow revellers to dispose of illegal drugs without fear of attracting police attention.

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The first set of controversial amnesty drug bins made their debut yesterday at Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Penalty-free drug bins were rolled out for the first time in Broadway for NYE in the Park and will be available today at the Field Day music festival.

The bins are aimed at encouraging revellers to dispose of illegal drugs without fear of attracting police attention.

Drug amnesty bins outside the New Year’s Eve in the Park festival in Sydney. Picture: Nikki Short

“We believe amnesty bins are a good way to increase safety so that young people if they see police or see other ­activity don’t panic and have the opportunity, without any questions asked, to throw those pills away,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said when launching the policy.

“But the strongest message we continue to give as a government is that drugs kill you, that’s why they are illegal.

“Do not take MDMA, do not take ecstasy, do not take any illegal drug.”

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The bins are a part of a 12- month trial and will also be available at the FOMO Festival on January 11.

Police do not look at the contents of the bins, which are taken away by private contractors.

Signs alerting revellers at the New Year’s Eve in the Park festival about the amnesty bins. Picture: Nikki Short

Police have been told to ignore those putting drugs in the bins, but detective chief inspector Stuart Bell, who is in charge of the police operation at Field Day festival, warned that anyone who does brings prohib­ited drugs to the festival should expect to be caught.

“Anyone thinking they will use this event as an opportunity to make a profit through prohibited drugs is reminded we will be proactively targeting supply, which includes covert operations,” Mr Bell said.

“I want to remind revellers that MDMA and other illicit substances are dangerous and potentially life-threatening, and various environmental factors can impact the way in which the body reacts after consumption.”

NSW Poisons Information Centre clinical director Professor Andrew Dawson said warm weather can increase the risk of drugs.

“MDMA causes the body to dangerously overheat, potentially leading to organ failure, loss of consciousness and death,” Mr Dawson said.