MCG chiefs, Victoria Police tackle illicit drug use among footy fans
Illicit drugs have been blamed for fuelling a wave of antisocial behaviour and violence at the footy as police look at new ways to catch fans who are under the influence.
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Drugged-up sports fans are causing crowd behaviour problems at the MCG.
Stadium bosses have identified fan drug use as a growing issue and are calling for action to detect supporters on illicit substances.
On the eve of a blockbuster finals series, MCG Trust chairman Steve Bracks says drug use was often behind unacceptable fan behaviour, telling the Sunday Herald Sun: “It’s an issue that we will have to deal with.”
The drug problem is highlighted in the latest annual report of the MCG Trust, which the government appoints to run the stadium.
Mr Bracks said fans were also finding ways around “sensible policies” on alcohol, fuelling “unacceptable acts of violence”.
“The impact on patrons in the vicinity can be significant — at best unpleasant, sometimes frightening and, on occasions, dangerous,’’ the former premier said in the report.
“Often poor behaviours are influenced by the use of illicit drugs which are very hard to detect in our screening procedures.”
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal police are considering sending sniffer dogs to events if intelligence shows the drug problem is worsening.
Fans caught with drugs are among more than 100 people evicted from AFL matches that have been marred by violent incidents this season.
“The increasing use of illicit drugs at major events and sporting matches is reflective of the broader community’s behaviours, and attitude towards illicit drugs,” Victoria Police Commander Tim Hansen said.
He said that while the vast majority of fans behaved “safely and responsibly”, there were “a few individuals who choose to do the wrong thing”.
“The damage this behaviour can cause has a ripple effect across the community, with drug or alcohol driving, drug or alcohol fuelled violence and heightened risk-taking,” he said.
In the MCG Trust’s report, Mr Bracks said he was concerned about recent violent incidents.
“Our systems for identifying, reporting and dealing with these incidents are robust but, the fact remains, our patrons can be exposed to some unacceptable behaviour for a couple of minutes before security and/or police can get to the offenders,” he wrote.
Mr Bracks told the Sunday Herald Sun the stadium was working with police on the drug issue, including education and enforcement strategies.
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“It’s just acknowledging and recognising that it’s an issue that we will have to deal with,” he said.
AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said while alcohol was “still the bigger problem”, drugs were an issue and sniffer dogs could be used in a restricted manner.
“If they’re doing it only when they suspect someone is on drugs and behaving in a way that is going to affect the fans around him, then that seems sensible,’’ he said.