Month: February 2026

Source: New South Wales Health – State Government

Laneway Festival will host an onsite drug checking service as part of the NSW drug checking trial, further strengthening harm reduction measures for festivalgoers.
Laneway Festival will be the eleventh festival to participate in the 12-month trial, with the festival taking place on Sunday 8 February 2026 at the Centennial Park.
The free and anonymous drug checking service allows festival patrons to bring a small sample of substances to be analysed on-site by qualified health staff.
Through rapid evaluation, patrons are provided with information about what was found in the sample, including potency where possible, in line with available technology. They also receive advice on how to reduce risks if they choose to take the substance.
Trained peer workers are available on site to provide tailored guidance about the risks, confidential support and information about additional support services.
While illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW, the trial acknowledges the reality of drug use at music festivals.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the service is intended to help people make informed decisions to reduce drug-related harm but is not a guarantee of safety.
“This trial aims to inform individuals about substances, allowing them to avoid dangerous substances, discard high-risk drugs, make safer and more informed choices and potentially avoid serious health risks,” Dr Chant said.
“Our priority is to reduce harm and keep people safe.”
NSW Health is working closely with Laneway festival organisers and other stakeholders to ensure safe and effective implementation of the trial.
The organisers of Laneway Festival said their priority is always the safety and wellbeing of festival attendees.
“We are proud to be participating in the NSW drug checking trial at our Sydney event in 2026,” Laneway Festival Director Jessie Parker said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our patrons remains our highest priority, and this initiative forms part of our broader harm reduction efforts by supporting informed decision-making among festivalgoers.”
The NSW drug ​checking trial will include up to 12 music festivals through to the end of February this year when it will be independently evaluated.
The trial comes after the NSW Government’s Drug Summit concluded in December 2024. The Report on the 2024 New South Wales Drug Summit provided a priority action recommending a trial of music festival-based drug testing.
Further information can be found at NSW drug checking trial.
More information for young people around how to keep themselves and their friends safe at music festivals is available on Your Room.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has apprehended four offenders after an incident in Coconut Grove earlier in the week.

On Friday, Drug Dog Operations Unit officers responded to multiple disturbances at a car yard in Coconut Grove. One report involved a firearm and suspected drugs located within a vehicle.

Officers apprehended four adults at the scene, with additional assistance provided by Strike Force Trident and General Duties officers.

Subsequent drug searches resulted in the seizure of:

• A modified .22 calibre handgun
• A trafficable quantity of methamphetamine
• Two edged weapons
• Several bats
• $800 in counterfeit Australian currency

Police also recovered a stolen motor vehicle linked to an earlier theft in Fannie Bay.

Two men, aged 28 and 38, have each been issued a Notice to Appear for Possess schedule 1 drug in public place, due to appear in Darwin Local Court on 1 April 2026.

A 34-year-old female will be issued a Notice to Appear for Theft of a motor vehicle, due to appear in Darwin Local Court on 1 April 2026.

A 33-year-old male will be issued a Notice to Appear for Possess firearm while unlicensed, Possess counterfeit currency and Possess controlled weapon in public space. He is also expected to appear in Darwin Local Court on 1 April 2026.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force are continuing to respond to violent disturbances in the community of Wadeye.

Over the past 24 hours, police have responded to reports of large groups fighting within the community with various makeshift weapons, including window louvres.

Attempts by police to disperse the offenders have been ineffective, as large groups continue to reform and engage in further acts of violence and property damage.

Two police vehicles have been damaged by thrown projectiles.

At this stage, no injuries have been reported.

Additional police resources have been deployed to Wadeye to support local members and to manage the immediate risk to community safety.

Acting Commander Terry Zhang said, “Public resources cannot be sustainably managed with this type of behaviour occurring. While police will continue to respond and prioritise the protection of the community, it is clear that law enforcement alone cannot address the underlying causes of these senseless acts. A collective response involving families, community leaders, and the broader community is essential to bring this behaviour to an end.

“Ongoing behaviour of this nature places the broader community, innocent people, and essential services at serious risk and could ultimately result in the loss or disruption of critical services.”