Dance party death

Teen dies, three critically ill as drugs take toll at Sydney event

A 19-YEAR-OLD man is dead and three others critically ill after suspected drug overdoses at a dance party in Sydney.

Police said the victims were attending the “Knockout Games of Destiny” dance party at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday night.

The teenager died in Concord Hospital early yesterday while two women, aged 19 and 25, and a man are in critical but stable conditions at Westmead Hospital. More than 18,000 people were at the dance party.

Police at the venue issued 69 banning notices and conducted more than 200 searches, with 62 people found in possession of drugs. Police charged several people, including a 25-year-old man allegedly found with 145 MDMA capsules in his possession.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell said police would not let up on trying to stop drug use at dance parties.

“Police and emergency services continue to send warning messages about illegal drugs, and many festival-goers are choosing to ignore them,” he said. “We will continue to have a strong presence at festivals and dance parties with the wellbeing and safety of attendees our number one priority”.

Earlier this year, two people died after overdosing at Sydney music festival Defqon 1, prompting the creation of an expert panel to advise the NSW Government on drug-related deaths at festivals.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday said she was beside herself that young people weren’t getting the message.

“Of course we want young people to have fun but don’t take an illegal substance, it can kill you,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“That’s why we took the measure to increase penalties for people supplying these illegal substances to a maximum of 20 years.”

Asked if it was time to reconsider the Government’s position on pill testing, Ms Berejiklian said no.

“Unfortunately, we know that pill testing won’t work.”