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Future Music Festival Marred By Violence And Drug Arrests

Author: NewZfusion
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
What should have been the launching pad for Future Entertainment's new Future Music Festival quickly turned sour as a violent altercation and multiple drug arrests became the focus for the event.

An incident involving an argument between groups at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl resulted in two 21-year-olds suffering stab wounds. Both victims were taken to Alfred Hospital, with one having to endure surgery for seven stab wounds. While the violent outbreak led to no arrests, police have confirmed that a male from Broadmeadows is assisting with enquiries.

Adding salt to the wound were the 36 drug arrests made earlier in the day, as two sniffer dogs patrolled the festival's boundaries from the outside. Substances confiscated included marijuana, ecstasy, MDMA and GHB.

33 people arrested have been forced to attend a drug diversion program, while two more were charged with trafficking and another with assaulting police after the initial charge of possession.

Despite this year's festival seeing only half the number of people arrested on drugs charges when compared to the Two Tribes 2006 event (69 people), Sen-Sgt Michael Lamb described the number of people "bringing dangerous drugs to a public place" as "disturbing", stating it as "a significant enough problem" that will warrant a police presence at the events. "People who choose to come to these events and deal drugs will be dealt with to the full extent of the law," said Sen-Sgt Lamb.

Penalties for trafficking illicit drugs include a maximum fine of $3,000 and/or up to 15 years jail, while the maximum fine for possession is $500.

The Metropolitan Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance earlier praised the crowd for its good behaviour with no drug overdoses being reported. St John spokesman Peter Cox also confirmed it had, by and large, been a quiet day with ambulance officers treating about 60 people for heat exposure, cuts and blisters.
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