Vic Police Could Be Allowed To Search Punters For Drugs Without Reason At Dance Festivals Soon

Discussions are underway for Victorian police to be given the power to search punters for drugs without reason at dance festivals. 

According to ABC, police are currently working with the Victorian government about broadening the Major Sporting Events act to dance events, such as bush raves, to increase police's capacity to search patrons.

"There would be designated events or festivals, so it's not every single festival like Moomba that it would occur," Victorian Minister for Police, Lisa Neville, said.

"It's all about trying to reduce harm, we know there are certain festivals that have had a long history of overdoses and… large numbers of ambulances having to be called out serious harm being caused to young people."

The news comes a week after several people suffered drug overdoses at a Melbourne city nightclub, while one punter died at Victoria's Rainbow Serpent festival this past January.