Dec 30 2008
While the emphasis right now is on urging New Year revellers to drink responsibly, many teenagers could be more likely to try drugs on New Year's Eve than any other night.
Tonight is the night many young people will feel most under pressure to keep up with their peers, and while most set out with no intention of using drugs, that peer pressure will be there on the biggest party night of the year as many teenagers believe drugs can help them stay up all night or liven up a dull or disappointing evening.
Substances such as cocaine and Ecstasy can loosen inhibitions but can also render people more vulnerable in potentially dangerous situations and there is significant danger in combining drugs with alcohol.
The New South Wales police have issued a drug warning ahead of tonight's New Year's Eve celebrations and say they intend to target drug dealers by using sniffer dogs and undercover officers across Sydney.
The Commander of the NSW Drug Squad, Detective Superintendent Nick Bingham, says police will be at dance parties and other events targeting drug dealers but not drug users.
While drug users could get caught as well he says party-goers should not be afraid to call an ambulance if one of their friends has an overdose as the police want harm minimisation rather than charging those who become ill after taking drugs.
Expanded access to weight-loss drugs could save thousands of lives