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Monash University study finds festival drug-checking services could reduce deaths

Monash University study finds festival drug-checking services could reduce deaths
January 19, 2024
About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.

In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.

Read more from this author

Related Articles

12th January 2024 - Organisers postpone Vintage Vibes Festival citing ‘current economic pressures’

11th January 2024 - Australian Festival Industry Conference to break for 2024 before returning in 2025

8th January 2024 - Eight people left in critical condition following suspected drug overdose at Melbourne’s Hardmission Festival

22nd December 2023 - Strip-search class action lawsuit against NSW Police to go ahead

13th February 2023 - Man dies from suspected drug overdose after attending Sydney’s Transmission Festival

29th September 2022 - Looking forward to return of concerts Auckland Stadiums advise of new approach to recreational drugs

18th July 2022 - Square Metre Group to deliver skills development program for its Crowd Safety Management

15th July 2022 - Event Safety Institute to deliver renowned crowd safety course in Sydney and Perth

11th December 2019 - NSW Government to introduce drug amnesty bins but no pill testing at music festivals

8th November 2019 - NSW Coroner recommends introduction of pill testing and banning sniffer dogs at festivals

16th October 2019 - NSW Government to ignore Coroner’s pill testing recommendation as it reintroduces festival management laws

16th July 2019 - Music festival deaths inquest hears presence of Police dogs led to panicked drug-taking

13th July 2019 - Inquest hears of multiple failings by organisers and Police over festival drug deaths

12th July 2019 - Drug trafficking charges against former AFL coach Mark Thompson dismissed

16th June 2019 - Five charged for supplying drugs at music festival at Sydney Olympic Park

30th May 2019 - Following 2018 drug deaths Defqon.1 festival now ‘postponed indefinitely’

30th April 2019 - Pill testing saves lives at ACT’s Groovin the Moo festival

31st January 2019 - Police say Rainbow Serpent Festival ‘hijacked’ by organised drug dealers

20th January 2019 - NSW Government to require licensing of music festivals after drug deaths

18th January 2019 - Leading medical body calls for pill testing trials at Australian festivals

19th September 2018 - NSW Premier announces panel to look into drug issues at music festivals

16th September 2018 - NSW Premier vows to ban Sydney music festival after drug deaths

27th March 2018 - Recommendation for festival pill testing to help emergency services treat overdose victims

1st April 2017 - Promoter Andrew McManus spared jail time in suitcase drug money case

2nd October 2016 - More than 100 drug arrests at Sydney Listen Out festival


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