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27 Feb 2007

sydney police shut down major dance party after drug arrests

With the shut down happening just days ahead of the big Mardi Gras parade and party weekend, last Sunday's drug bust has somewhat dampened moods in the Australian city as some fear similar action by the police.

Police shut down the Azure V dance party at the Royal Botanical Gardens two hours earlier than it was supposed to end on Sunday night following the arrest of 26 people for drug-related offences.

According to local reports, up to 40 police officers from The Rocks Local Area Command and drug detection dogs entered the party formerly known as the Harbour Party at Fleet Steps on Mrs Macquaries Road at about 9pm.

Police say 40 charges were laid relating to "the possession or supply of mainly MDMA, as well as cocaine, ketamine, speed, GBH and cannabis." Of the 26 arrested, nine were allegedly detected with a trafficable amount of illicit drugs.

Organisers expect the event, which is being held a week before the big Mardi Gras weekend, to be attended by 5000 people including some of "Sydney's [and the world's] most buffed and beautiful."

According to a police statement, a warrant was sought and granted by a magistrate to close the party early as "police held concerns for patrons" due to the "number of drug detections."

The Age newspaper quoted an unnamed officer involved in the arrests as saying: "We take drug dogs down there annually. It was not a specially planned operation to uproot the Mardi Gras or upset the gays. It was just the blatant quantity of drugs [we found]."

The drug swoop is expected to cast a shadow over the month-long event as it culminates in a spectacular street parade along Oxford Road on March 3 followed by a 12-hour long party, which organisers hope to draw "16,000 local and international party people."

People have expressed concern that the police will take similar action during the party and that partygoers will be hesitant to attend.

For more info on safe partying, sexual health, drugs, treatment, street safety, depression and same-sex domestic violence, visit the AIDS Council of New South Wales (ACON).

读者回应

1. 2007-02-27 19:06  
With the recent death of an aussie girl from mdma and NSW election coming up, the police must be seen to be doing something and these parties good place to set examples. The problem with Sydney gay crowd is they can't seem to have a good night without substances and this seems to be the norm. You can't really blame the police for shutting down the party.
2. 2007-02-27 19:07  
Well done NSW Police. Less drug over doses at parties will be a good thing.
3. 2007-02-27 19:43  
Drug users are the real party poopers!
回应#4於被作者删除。
5. 2007-02-27 20:12  
Well sometimes it takes force to ensure that boys and girls party in moderation. This is to make sure that the cases of OD will be much lesser. The police are just doing their job since everyone knows that some of these boys or girls do not know when is enough... It's impossible for these boys to party without the drug so deterence is the only way to go!
6. 2007-02-27 21:13  
my whole reason for NOT attending mardi gras parties and so on is the use, reliance and obsession with drug taking.
its sad that drugs are so vital for a group of people who see themselves as "health conscious"
7. 2007-02-27 21:25  
PARTY FREELY, TALK FREELY,SPEAK YOUR MIND FREELY, LIVE FREELY, AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO FREELY...FREEDOM...FREEDOM...FREEDOM
8. 2007-02-27 22:03  
In my job I see the detrimental effects of both legal and illegal drugs. Human beings have used drugs since we first evolved, and as sad as it sounds, we will always do so. But clouding the situation with hypocracy does nothing to help manage the risks - that's why I've always believed we should make all drugs legal or illegal and manage them all the same way. The most we can achieve is risk management - closing down dance party's simply moves the problem to a new location, it doesn't reduce the risks. Though it's good public relations for the police and politicians.
9. 2007-02-27 23:36  
Finally some assertive action to get the drug culture out of mardi gras or at least make partygoers more hesitant to indulge such vices. Mardi Gras message or our uniqueness has been lost in the quest for the ultimate 'high'.
10. 2007-02-27 23:55  
well, 抵死!
11. 2007-02-28 00:49  
I believe people are responsible for what they did at the parties and they shouldn't shut down the party because they detect any drug at the scene. It is quite unfair to other party-goers for the event. Even the message of "Say no to drugs" is always there, we all know that we can't stop everything at the party...
12. 2007-02-28 01:53  
I cannot believe some of the postings I have read here. Drugs are a part of life for good or bad. There is a clear lack of understanding about drugs and an intolerance to them which I find strange. I use party drugs and enjoy them, had some great and some not so good experiences. Responsibility and fun can coexist. Police and party organisers normally cooperate with well organised parties having great facilities including medical support and monitoring of party participants. A feature at some parties includes voluntary testing of pills for party goers, for their safety. Its about tolerance and caring. The NSW police action in closing the Azure party is reminiscent of the days of morale intolerance that the gay movement was founded on. SHAME.
13. 2007-02-28 03:12  
Nah, i think using drugs is not an extremely bad thing if it's done in moderation and especially with awareness of its effects and the consequences... but this case, if wat is said is true, that they found excessive amounts of drugs that would obviously point to more than just for partying... it is action well meant to be taken. lets not smear the name gay with any more bad associations... :S
14. 2007-02-28 06:38  
I reckon it's dumb... No drugs, then it won't be soo much fun animore... Then Mardi Gras after partie won't be that sooo hype animore...
Wat's they ghunna prevent next!?!? Alcohol..?!?!
15. 2007-02-28 07:14  
Anyone who is pro recreational drugs is a complete moron, without exception. There can be no arguement for them, none, unless you're already brain dead. If you need drugs to enjoy yourself then you're missing out on what's really great about life! The NSW police may have come down on the heavy side, but they are there to uphold the law. If people want to stick up a finger in their face by openly taking illegal drugs what do they expect to happen.
16. 2007-02-28 07:44  
The reason the Azure party was shut down was that nine people were carrying traffickable amounts of drugs. One of the organisers even had abou AUD$3000 worth of drugs on him. No wonder they shut the event down. I often abstain from the Sydney gay scene and gay events like MG on the basis that everone is on some drug. I personally have never taken anything harder than pot, and that is only 1 joint every 3 or 4 years.
17. 2007-02-28 08:04  
The fact of the matter is when it comes to partying some people don't understand what moderation is. They are the ones who ruin it for everyone else. I definitely think the arrests and shut down was partly a reaction to the girl dying at the Good Vibrations party the week before. Apparently when the police were talking to one of the organizers of Azure two ambulances were brought in for ODs. Other people behaving messy. Not a good look. Party shut down. Simple as that.

Fact - sniffer dogs have never been brought into the main Mardi Gras party before. Fact - New Mardi Gras have a good working relationship with Surry Hills police. Fact - in NSW if a sniffer dog tags you, it is not enough reason for the police to search you. It is only if you are behaving suspiciously or look really messed up on drugs that they have the right to search you. Party tip - talk to the police calmly, tell them you've had a few drinks and that you're going home soon.

Dampened moods? I don't think so. People considering being more responsible? Yes, and that's a good thing! Everyone I know is still going and more excited than ever. Happy Mardi Gras boys! Party safe and have fun, that's what it's about.

18. 2007-02-28 11:18  
Mardi Gras was once upon a time all about celebrating our gayness and freedom to be.... nowadays it is all about getting stoned out of your face and becomeing a zombie. One of the main reason I have stopped going since 2001!
19. 2007-02-28 12:10  
I love parties but I hate drugs. Do we really need to have drugs in order to have fun? We are gay (happy ppls).
20. 2007-02-28 15:35  
Be Less Selfish & Be Considerate for the Community:

One of the things the heavy drug-users can do or should do for the sake of the reputation of the community and the fun of other non-drug-users in the party is to sacrificially refrain from using drugs at those parties. Should not be too selfish or self-centred and spoil others' fun or the community's reputation because of one's indulgence in drugs.
21. 2007-02-28 16:31  
If people want to continue to attend dance parties like that held for Mardi Gras, they should leave drugs outside. Simple as that. It's a public event in a public place.

Scott
22. 2007-02-28 22:59  
The Police have constantly harrassed members of the gay and bi sexual community at beats and known meeting places,for a long time and this continues the well known anti gay trend of the Police Minister and his Commissioner.
There is no doubt that the harrassment tactics of using sniffer dogs and the raids on parties and other venues will continue.
They should realise that will drive the parties back underground and cause resentment against the Police and therefore fuel more illegal activities.
If you want to do party drugs do them before you go inside the venue.
23. 2007-03-01 11:42  
This is quite sad, think of the young ones & and what these means at all...

This festival has so much potential and posibilities + wonderful meanings that celebrate the liberty of our human sexuality+identity and the heritage of the Queer community; are we really all about Drugs, Sex & Boooze? and then What? what is there after the Drugs, the Sex and the Booze?

There are perhaps important things we could and should reflect on and help drive this festival towards a positive, healthy & the core meaning of Mardi Gras!

I love parties... but,
Should this be another meaningless Mardi Gras?...
I don't know.
24. 2007-03-02 03:23  
Party all you want.
But leave the drugs at home or take them before you come (if you really feel that you need something to make you feel alive).
The Few (again), Spoil it for the Rest of Us!
25. 2007-03-02 21:13  
Surely the police could have arrested the dealers and allowed the party to continue.

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