This past weekend saw two punters on their way to the Sydney leg of Listen Out Festival require emergency services en route to the event. Fairfax reports the two required hospitalisation for suspected overdoses after becoming ill in a private bus on the M2 motorway.
The pair were hospitalised, along with three festival-goers, while 116 were treated onsite by paramedics.
Coming off of the back of the Perth leg of the festival where police had their hands full with swarms of fence jumpers gatecrashing the event, Sydney experienced more than 120 arrests for drug-related offences. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Police arrested 116 people who were allegedly found in possession of illicit drugs, and another 13 people were charged with drug supply offences.
Despite the large number of arrests, Superintendent Kathy McCarthy said that she was happy with the overall behaviour of punters.
“Most of the festival goers were able to enjoy the featured acts safely and without the dangerous effects of illicit substances or anti-social behaviour.
“People need to realise that high-visibility police operations are par for the course at major music festivals. If you bring illicit drugs to these events, chances are you will be caught.”
Superintendent McCarthy also praised festival organisers and staff for their handling of the event.
‘The organisers put together a well-run event and we will continue to work with them in the future to help ensure music-lovers can attend in a safe, drug-free environment.”
