Vic: Massive police operation for Melbourne's New Year's Eve

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-2008
Vic: Massive police operation for Melbourne's New Year's Eve

MELBOURNE, Dec 29 AAP - Revellers will face a massive police presence aimed at cracking
down on drug-taking at one of Australia's biggest New Year's Eve parties.

Less than a fortnight after 12 people were taken seriously ill when they used a suspected
bad batch of the liquid drug GHB, authorities warned partygoers heading to Sensation in
Melbourne to act responsibly for their own safety.

Up to 40,000 revellers will attend Sensation at the city's Telstra Dome, one of the
largest single events on New Year's Eve, while as many as half a million people are expected
to flock into the city for other events.

Victoria Police warned 600 uniform and plain clothes officers would be on duty around
the city and key venues, while sniffer dogs would also be deployed.

"I certainly wouldn't be brave enough to guarantee there wouldn't be drug taking, but
it's up to individuals to take notice of the fact that we had 12 people who were seriously
ill just a couple of weeks ago," Assistant Commissioner Gary Jamieson said.

"The risk of taking these sorts of prohibited drugs is extremely high to their own
health. It's up to individuals to take responsibility for their own actions."

Ambulance Victoria, which has been involved in planning for Sensation, said it would
deploy a medical team and extra paramedics inside Telstra Dome.

Ambulance Victoria's operations manager Paul Holman said the December 20 incident involving
GHB, also known as GBH, highlighted the risks of taking illegal drugs.

"It always concerns us when these drugs get out there ... but GBH, in terms of the
street name 'grievous bodily harm' - you take those drugs, that's exactly what it's going
to do to you," Mr Holman said.

"We see people getting into trouble, basically when people are not heeding the warnings
and they're not being looked after by their mates."

As well as a massive police turnout on New Year's Eve, every booze bus in Victoria
will be deployed.

Mr Jamieson said authorities were hopeful of a safe and successful night after a year
in which Melbourne's CBD had been plagued by drunken violence.

"We've had a particularly good run for the last six weeks, one serious assault in the
last six weeks, which is pretty outstanding," Mr Jamieson said.

"We are hoping that we are about to turn the corner in regard to (that) behaviour.

We're hoping we're getting the message through that if you misbehave, you will be dealt
with severely."

The half a million revellers expected to pour into the city will be able to take their
pick of six free party sites, including Federation Square, Southgate and Waterfront City,
with fireworks displays at 9.15pm (AEDT) and midnight.

Public transport will be free, with extra train services also running through the night.

AAP sjm/gfr/jl

KEYWORD: EVE VIC (WITH FACTBOX)

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