Drug dogs to search for drugs hidden at music festival venues in lead up to the events

DRUG dogs will scour music festival sites daily in the week before the event — and organisers will have to foot the bill.

Drug dog Maddy in action with handler, Leading Senior Constable Aaron Gleaves at the dog squad base in Menai. Picture: Jonathan Ng

DRUG dogs will scour music festival sites daily in the week before the event — and organisers will have to foot the bill.

Acting Premier and Police Minister Troy Grant is drafting the hard-line anti-drugs policy to be put to Cabinet after three drug-related deaths and scores of overdoses at ­musical festivals in the past year.

The move is aimed at ending the practice of dealers or revellers hiding drugs on site ahead of the event. Presently, sniffer dogs are only used on the day of the concert.

Festivals such as Stereosonic in Sydney to be searched for drugs ahead of the event.

But the proposal is likely to trigger uproar among organisers by sparing taxpayers the cost of the exercise.

It follows a high-level meeting with representatives from the police, the Royal Botanic Gardens and ­Domain Trust, the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and ministerial officials from the offices of the Premier, Planning, Environment and Local Government ministers.

It is understood Mr Grant wants the plan to go to Cabinet in the coming weeks, with a view to it being in place ahead of the next wave of festivals.

Among the events that could be ­affected are Splendour in the Grass, which will be held in July, the Easter Byron Bay Bluesfest, Groovin’ The Moo in May and Come Together in June.

The proposed model is not unlike those in place at overseas festivals.

Premier Mike Baird promised last week to crack down on festival organisers with a review of the permit system while demanding more extensive screening at entry points.

The pledge followed the drug-related deaths of music festival-goers Sylvia Choi, Nigel Pauljevic and Georgina Bartter.

At the recent Field Day festival held in The Domain, several music-goers were rushed to hospital after suspected drug overdoses, while 184 revellers were charged with drug-­related offices.

A woman was taken to hospital from the Field Day music festival with a suspected drug overdose. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

While Mr Grant would not comment on the proposal, a series of “risk management reviews” was in progress.

“The NSW Government is reviewing the risk management for each event held on public land, ­including the process for granting event permits, regulation and security,” he said.

“All high-risk events held on state land in the next three months are currently being reviewed.

“The NSW Government will consider all ­options available to ensure the safety and wellbeing of festival patrons.”

Police recently spoke of the ­extreme lengths revellers were going to access drugs during a music festival, including secreting them into body cavities and attempting to bribe security guards.