The Drug War !

The one thing becoming crystal clear at the enquiry into six deaths at music festivals in New South Wales is that the risk factor is not stopping patrons from using drugs to enhance the euphoria associated with music.  It seems likely that the laws we are putting in place will simply drive music festivals out of this state because the costs involved are prohibitive.

The licensing factor NSW has chosen as a control measure involves the issue of a liquor license for a music festival.  Basically, at the last minute all sorts of demands can be made that can increase the organizers costs and in one instance these added an extra $184,000 for the presence of police.  The thinking seems to be based on taxing music festivals out of business.

It would be an act of political cowardice if we simply force music festivals over the border and into someone else's jurisdiction and wipe our hands clean of responsibility for the inevitable deaths that will occur there from drug taking.

What we need to face is the inescapable fact that a way of life has evolved where a wide section of society is determined to experience euphoria caused by drugs when listening to music.  These drugs are illegal, but an unstoppable trade exists and the drugs in circulation vary widely in strength and purity.  Despite our best efforts, these drugs find their way into patrons hands and are widely distributed at music festivals.

The statistics tell a compelling story.  It is not unusual for thirty thousand people to enthusiastically attend a music festival and we now know that about ninety percent intend to use drugs.  If one or two deaths occur, either from drug strength or the inability of an individual to cope with the substance used, it is obvious that the vast majority escaped harm.  It is probable that those who died could have been saved if medical attention had been given - in time.

Clearly, what is needed is a number of treatment and resuscitation points clearly identifiable within the crowd and manned by paramedics with drug treatment experience.  It is quite possible that the presence of police with sniffer dogs may be contributing to panic and causing patrons to swallow the drugs they are carrying in fear of being arrested.  It is quite evident that this form of deterrent is not an effective measure that stops drug taking at music festivals.

Perhaps the time has arrived for a change of attitude on drugs generally.  They are addictive, but so is alcohol and that is available legally.  If " Ecstasy ", the most used music festival drug - was available legally at a strength deemed safe there would obviously be people who would overdose by buying and using in excess, as happens with alcohol., but that is their personal decision.

The government should realise that anything they class as " forbidden "  immediately attracts in our perverse human minds.  Perhaps now is the time to end an unwinnable war !