Party drugs warning from police
With peak ski season partying downtown and Snow Machine Festival just a few weeks away, Police are warning those dabbling in party drugs like MDMA are “effectively putting their health in the hands of a drug dealer”.
Queenstown Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson says there’s no way anyone buying and using illegal drugs can know the exact strength and contents.
“If you do plan on using these drugs you should ensure your friends know what you have taken and are able to assist you in the event you fall ill," he says.
Snow Machine organisers are expecting about 7000 young festival goers to pack the week-long 9 to 14 September programme both up Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski areas and at the Remarkables Park main area, where top headline acts will be pumping.
Snow Machine co-owner and organiser Quentin Nolan says they work hard to help Police, employing security guards who check all belongings thoroughly at the gate of the downtown event, even looking inside wallets.
“We will have measures in place to make sure no drugs come into the event,” he says. “Our security company is very thorough, and we send messaging out to patrons prior to the event via the app and email, outlining what’s prohibited and not to attempt to bring prohibited substances in,” he says.
Anyone caught will be banned from the event. Security guards will also be monitoring inside the gates of the outdoor event. Nolan says they haven’t had a problem or any noticeable issues with drugs in past years.
About 90% of those attending are Australian – average age 28, and they fly in the day before leaving no time to organise or find drugs, he says.
Meanwhile, a not-very-loved-up Queenstown man, 29, has been charged with possession of ecstasy and assault with a blunt instrument after an altercation in a Cow Lane bar at 3am on Saturday, 16 August.
Sergeant Tracy Haggart says the man was removed by bar security after allegedly punching a 32-year-old local man in the face twice, during an argument. They didn't know each other. The victim received a laceration to his ear.
“While the alleged offender was being processed, Haggart says Police allegedly found a small ziplock bag containing MDMA in his property. He will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 6 October.
