Festival goers will be targeted as part of a Federal Government campaign to fight illicit drug use this summer.
Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon today warned those attending music festivals to party safely without taking drugs, with ecstasy use reported to be on the rise over the last number of years.
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“With summer just around the corner, we want to remind festival-goers about the risks and harms associated with illicit drug use, especially ecstasy.
“Generally illicit drug use is declining in Australia, however ecstasy use has risen over the past decade,” she said.
Statistics from 2007 revealed that 3.5 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 reported using ecstasy in the preceding 12 months, making it the second most commonly used illicit drug after cannabis.
The summer’s clampdown forms part of the Government’s National Drugs Campaign, and will be promoted through popular festival-goer website In the Mix to increase awareness of the risks party-goers face if they decide to take drugs during festivals.
“The latest phase of the campaign increases the focus on information and education about the risks and harms of ecstasy use,” the minister added.
In early 2011 the Government plans to roll out an advertising campaign through radio, print, outdoor, online and in-venue locations to engage with festival-goers about the dangers of drug abuse.
More information and advice about drug problems can be found on the Government’s drugs website or by calling the national free-call line 1800 250 015.
