festivals are not drug dealers. For more than 65 years, providing genuine care, support and expertise to the Defence community has seen us grow into a family of over 300,000. Four per cent of MDMA-related deaths in Australia since 2000 occurred at music festivals, according to a new report from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). The research has prompted calls for an overhaul of the state's drug and alcohol policy to shift from a punitive to a public health-focused approach, aimed at encouraging people to seek medical treatment without fear of criminal sanctions. The country’s top medical bodies, including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Australian Medical Association, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, publicly support pill testing in Australia. A mix of drugs and other factors were responsible for most drug-related deaths in Australia in 2016. The study, published in the International Journal of Drug policy this month, identifies 392 deaths linked to the drug between 2000 and 2018. That's why we're not for profit and why your wellbeing is what matters most. When alcohol, a depressant and common partner of drugs, is mixed with stimulants it further inhibits the respiratory system and contributes to complications. “We know there have been cases where people have died after using illicit drugs that are pure, so to offer a testing service that would suggest drugs are safe just because they don’t have additives in them would be incredibly irresponsible and dangerous, and offer people a false sense of security.”. The much-awaited NSW coroner’s report into music festival deaths was released today. "It's hard for people to take in general messages, but a personal message gets through.". This year’s service tested 170 substances for 234 participants, twice the number of those who presented at the pill testing facility last year. What’s the difference between a physiotherapist, an accredited exercise physiologist, an osteopath, and a chiropractor? This reflects the nature of the GDS sample. Dr Monica Barratt, a drug policy expert from RMIT University, said she wasn't surprised. It is also common sense that the attendees of music festivals do not wish to die or get injured, but that the deaths that caused this public policy issue to arise were accidental deaths. ... Defqon.1 Australia organisers this morning released a statement to news.com.au in response to the deaths. Drug use patterns of Australian music festival attendees Almost all respondents (99.7%) reported they had used a drug (including alcohol) in the last 12 months and 98.4% reported they used an illicit drug. And family always comes first. The report says the number of MDMA-related deaths "increased significantly" between 2011 and 2016, "consistent with international supply trends" for the illicit drug. We see things a little differently to most. Michaela Whitbourn is a legal affairs reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald. And family always comes first. Our members aren't numbers or names, they're just like family. Privacy Policy Despite this, NSW and Victorian governments remain opposed to pill testing. How to finish those DIY projects you started in lockdown, How different generations are coping with lockdown. Most deaths occurred in private places and among men aged in their mid-20s. The deaths at the Defqon.1 festival in Sydney renewed a debate about drug policy in the country, with supporters of liberalization — and music […] SYDNEY, Australia — The Australian authorities vowed to shut down a popular music festival after two people died of suspected drug overdoses and 700 others sought medical attention over the weekend. We see things a little differently to most. "We're seeing an increase in high-purity and high-dosage MDMA, as well as different forms such as crystal and powder which are higher in purity," she said. Following a number of recent drug-related deaths at music festivals across Australia, pill testing has again become a hot topic across media outlets.But how does pill testing work, and does it really encourage drug use? 10. Subscribe to Health HQ for the latest updates direct to your inbox each month. The latest death occurred after a 19 year old man attended the Knockout Games of Destiny music festival on 7 December 2018.1 That music festival also saw three people taken to hospital in a critical condition; 13 people taken to hospital for treatment and 130 … With the spate of festival deaths over the 2018-19 summer, the prevention of drug related deaths has again come into the national spotlight. The head of Q Dance Australia, Simon Coffey, told a NSW inquest into the deaths of six young people at recent music festivals he has been left 'marked' by the incidents. A1’s scheduled appearance at a mall record store, broadcast on live television, was not interrupted by the death of four teenage girls.In fact, the boy band knew nothing of the incident until hours later. Doses varied in purity, as well as whether other substances were present. It is interesting to note there has been an overall increase in the presence of stimulants in toxicology reports of drug-related deaths in the past five years. Drug checking services at music festivals will never be a silver bullet for all drug related harm and deaths associated with music festivals. In the aftermath of the deaths, there is a furious debate emerging around pill testing. Created with you in mind, Health HQ is just another way that we are committed to your wellbeing. NDARC research fellow Amanda Roxburgh said the number of deaths due to MDMA toxicity alone, rather than when mixed with a contaminant, "jumped out" at them. These parties believe that informing drug-users about the substances they intend to take leaves them to mak… The main argument for pill testing is that because it’s hard to know exactly what a user is taking, helping them identify the substance they’re about to ingest, and educating them on the effects, will hopefully help mitigate deadly consequences. At least five people died while attending dance parties in 2015, with one of the deaths occuring at Defqon. The Australian live performance sector had a record-breaking year in 2017, according to Live Performance Australia’s 2017 Ticket Attendance and Revenue Report, released this morning. Australians typically think they are getting MDMA when they purchase ecstasy tablets, however it’s not always the case. Visitors are advised about how reactions are different for every person and medical history is discussed and taken into consideration with test findings. Music festivals responsible for minuscule percentage of drug deaths, recommend the personal use of ice and other illicit drugs be decriminalised in NSW, Despite recommendations from health experts. Some may wonder why there are so many deaths at music festivals, rather than at clubs or parties, where drug-taking is also common. Pill Testing Australia (PTA) has released its full report on the outcomes of pill testing at this year’s Groovin’ the Moo festival, held in Canberra in April. This is the second year pill testing was trialled at the festival. UQ’s Dr Cheneal Puljević, Dr Ellen Leslie and Associate Professor Jason Ferris provide a brief overview of the available evidence. Two other revellers who attended the festival were also taken to hospital in a critical condition. Organisers of the ‘FOMO’ Australian music festival will look to install thermal body temperature scanners for future events in light of evidence provided to an inquest into recent deaths. "Unless we get rid of criminal sanctions for personal use altogether, we will never be able to help a majority of these kids before we lose them altogether.". Dr Barratt said testing, not just at music festivals, could save lives. Ted Noffs Foundation chief executive Matt Noffs said "when most drug use is happening at home or in secret, ironically, festivals are safer because there is help". Tasmanian Health Minister Michael Ferguson made the following statement to SBS in February. Music Industry News, Jobs & Charts. On July 18, a student was found dead of undetermined causes at Pemberton Music Festival in British Columbia. MDMA is a stimulant that speeds up the body and brain. These parties believe that informing drug-users about the substances they intend to take leaves them to make more educated decisions. What’s the difference between a dentist and dental hygienist? At least nine people have died from suspected drug overdoses at Australian music festivals in the last five years, according to media reports. music festivals; Sydney music festival deaths: Two young people dead. "Many of these deaths are young people who are too scared to get help when something goes wrong," he said. That's why we're not for profit and why your wellbeing is what matters most... Disclaimer As outlined in Table 2, the most commonly used drugs amongst these Australian music festival However, it’s hard to know exactly how an individual will react to a substance, especially when other compounds are in the mix. Our members aren't numbers or names, they're just like family. A1, Deaths: 4 March 18, 2001 – Jakarta, Indonesia. What you need to know. Terms of Use, ©2021 Defence Health Ltd Please click here to view Facebook giveaway terms & conditions. However, many believe that pill testing creates a false sense of security for drug-takers. The research comes as the Berejiklian government faces calls to decrminalise the personal use of illicit drugs. Rarely was MDMA solely responsible for the deaths. No matter what side of the fence you’re on when it comes to drug use, it is widely believed by the medical experts that education and the harm-minimisation of pill testing can save lives. “Over 23 million Australians attended live events with over $1.88 billion generated through ticket sales,” says its chief executive, Evelyn Richardson. This is a list of music festivals in Australia.It includes festivals that have stopped running. The victims took varying doses, from just one pill to possibly nine. • Australian festival-goers attend two to three festivals per year on average and 55% plan to attend even more in the coming year. Matt Bungard is a journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald. 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