Agony after the ecstasy: Warning on party drugs ahead of Tassie’s summer festivals

The Sunday Tasmanian’s special investigation series - The Ripple Effect - examines the devastating impact that just one party pill can have.

YOUNG Tasmanians tempted into taking party drugs this summer could be putting their lives at risk, a leading drug and alcohol service warns.

The Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) says events such as the Falls Festival, Mona Foma and Party in the Paddock will draw thousands of patrons and it is probable some will take illicit substances, such as an ecstasy pill, to ramp up their party experience.

“Any time a person takes a drug that they have purchased from the black market they take a risk,” ATDC policy manager Jackie Hallam said.

“If you buy a pill or powder from a dealer, you can’t be sure of the ingredients, or how strong it is. That’s where the concern is for us.”

The ATDC supports the introduction of trial pill testing at music festivals and events, outlining in a recent position statement that testing should be introduced in Tasmania as “a matter of urgency” and that it could “minimise the potential for death and serious illness”.

Working from data in an annual University of Tasmania report on drug use, the ATDC estimates about 9000 Tasmanians have used ecstasy at least once in the past year. The ATDC notes that many would not be considered regular users and that the majority did not report any serious problems.

But the dangers are real, as evidenced by the reporting of deaths and illnesses among people who took tainted pills at mainland festivals.

The message during the Sunday Tasmanian’s special investigation launched today - The Ripple Effect - is that just one pill can have a devastating impact.

Tasmania Police statistics show officers seized 3288 MDMA or ecstasy tablets in 2018-2019.

Of 352 serious drug offenders in 2018-19, 11 per cent were related to MDMA and of 2613 other drug offenders, 6 per cent related to MDMA.

Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Operations Richard Cowling, below, said officers were committed to stopping the sale and supply of illicit drugs to party goers before their attendance at events.

Mr Cowling said Tasmania Police, working with event organisers, would maintain a highly visible presence at next month’s Falls Festival, including uniform and plain clothes police. Officers from specialised areas including Southern Drug Investigation Services, the Criminal Investigation Branch and Forensic Services will also be in attendance.

“While small quantities of illicit substances were seized at Falls Festival 2018-19, there was only one significant seizure, of 99 MDMA tablets,” Mr Cowling said.

“Two people were charged and pleaded guilty to trafficking in a controlled drug following that seizure.

“Tasmania Police’s primary concern is serious drug offenders, and our focus will continue to be on those who traffic drugs. The preferred approach for possession of small amounts of personal use is diversion.”

MORE OF TODAY’S NEWS:

HOBART BEACH OFF LIMITS TO SWIMMERS

CALL FOR HOTEL SHORTAGE FIX

ATDC chief executive Alison Lai urged parents who had concern for the safety of festival goers to talk with their kids.

“I think anyone who read about the deaths from last year at festivals on the mainland would be concerned going into this [festival] season,” Ms Lai said.

“The best thing a parent can do is to get educated. Learn about the drugs and the effects.

“There are plenty of services out there that can talk to parents who have questions or concerns and want ideas as to how to best manage the situation.

“We would have similar advice for someone contemplating taking ecstasy – get educated.”

Alcohol and Drug Information Service, phone [phone]