65 revellers have been arrested for drug related crimes at music festival in Melbourne over the weekend.

The Parklife festival drew a massive crowd of 17,000 at Birrarung Marr to see headlining acts La Roux and Digitalism, with a bunch of dance based support acts.

Armed with a large group of sniffer dogs, and working in co-operation with the events organizers and security, Victorian Police arrested numerous party-goers for carrying drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy.

While Police have applauded the general behaviour of people at the festival, despite the discovery of drugs, the increase in drug related crimes at youth festivals has to be of concern for the public.

Last year 53 people were caught the same festival for drug possession and this year that figure has increased by 12.

At the same time, the number of overdoses and hospital admittances for drug use has also jumped over the years.

It indicates two things:

That the police have identified the issue as a real societal problem and have done their best to prevent drug use at festivals.

However, it also indicates that the public are not acting upon the message and are continuing to use drugs at music events.

With the year slowly coming to an end, and a plethora of New Years Eve and summer festivals about to hit Australia, the public need to understand the issues and dangers that are associated with drugs and partying.

WHAT’S YOUR OPINION:

What punishment should those caught with drugs at festivals receive?

Do you think drugs are a major problem in our society?

What else should the government do to prevent the problem?