Despite the tragic death of a 20-year-old man, police say Victoria's Beyond The Valley festival "ran well" this year.
The four-day Lardner event, which concluded on Wednesday, saw six people arrested for trafficking drugs, 26 people given a caution and drug diversion notice and three people arrested for carrying weapons, while 37 patrons were also ejected.
“Dog Squad and uniform members worked with venue security to ensure patron safety by tirelessly searching people and their vehicles for illicit drugs and contraband alcohol,” Inspector Alison Crombie said in a statement.
“We’ll never be able to single-handedly stamp out illicit drug use – however it was obvious that the message of looking after your mates got through to most of the festival-goers.
“There was also a significant reduction in complaints from local residents, especially regarding noise from the venue."
Police will now prepare a report for the Coroner for the man who died from a suspected drug overdose. The Mansfield local was airlifted from site and taken to hospital on Saturday, however he passed away on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to The Music yesterday, Matt Noffs, CEO of Ted Noffs Foundation, called on state governments to take action and consider pill testing, after a 22-year-old male also died from an "unknown substance" at Lost Paradise festival in New South Wales on Saturday.
"I've got a very simple line for [NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian] which is... for God's sake before you make a decision, listen to the evidence," Noffs said.
"Because when you don't listen to the evidence and you make an ill-informed opinion, it's pure ignorance and it really angers many many parents across Australia."
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