Twenty people charged on first night of schoolies

Almost 20 people were arrested on the first night of the annual schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast.

An injured man at Schoolies. Picture: AAP

Almost 20 people were arrested on the first night of the annual schoolies celebrations on the Gold Coast, despite police saying young revellers had been well-­behaved.

More than 10,700 school leavers were registered on Saturday night for the schoolies hub, a 3km strip along Surfers Paradise fenced off from the general public.

It is among the smallest number of revellers attending the festivities in a decade, reflecting the reduced Year 12 cohort in Queensland that followed the ­introduction of a “prep year” when they began school.

Police said they were “generally pleased” with behaviour but there were isolated incidents. Seven youths were charged with 15 offences related to drug possession on Saturday night. A further ­ 11 non-school-leavers, or “toolies”, were arrested on 11 ­charges related to drugs and public nuisance, including a 25-year-old man who instigated a brawl at a local McDonald’s restaurant.

On the same night last year, six schoolies were arrested.

The number of people requiring treatment from paramedics on the first night of celebrations was down from 73 last year to 50. Alcohol-related incidents were the most common reason revellers sought treatment, followed by drug-related illness, mental health and minor bodily trauma.

Of the 27 women and 23 men treated on Saturday night at the emergency treatment centre in the heart of festivities, three were taken to hospital.

Youth support group Red Frogs regularly attends schoolies festivities nationally and overseas to ensure school-leavers celebrate safely. National co-ordinator Andy Gourley said the more than 600 volunteers stationed on the Gold Coast on Saturday reported a “really good first night”.

“They (school-leavers) are coming to us and are wanting to be safe,” he said. “I’m really impressed by the amount of food and slabs of water they have in their rooms, which is very important after a night of drinking.

“We are also seeing many walking home in groups. It is only the first night but it is a really positive start and shows our safety messages are getting through.”

Reveller numbers are expected to grow over the week to 18,000 ahead of the biggest night of celebrations, which traditionally falls on Friday, with overall numbers expected to be down about 20 per cent this year.

A police spokesman said authorities would not hesitate to take action on anti-social behaviour and drugs.

“Schoolies week is a timely ­reminder to the community that the possession and consumption of ­illicit drugs is ­illegal. Not only is it illegal — it is also dangerous and could have fatal consequences,” the spokesman said.