Harm Reduction in Australia
Statistically speaking, police data is not representative of a 'fair portion' of the population of Australian youth because, by the very nature of their job descriptions, they're only dealing with rat-bags. They seem to have adopted the age-old attitude 'one bad apple spoils the whole crop' and often misconstrew the numbers to support this theory.
Australia's leading drug research body (NDARC) has, on the other hand, conducted a study of a fair portion of the population in question, revealing Ecstasy consumption occurs 96% more frequently at clubs, pubs and bars than at outdoor events. Additionally, in 2014, NDARC reveals the majority of drug users reported they scored from a friend's house, not at outdoor events. NDARC studies support the demonstrated scenarios in the documentary "Dying to Dance", which also suggests drugs are not purchased at events.
In fact, NDARC data predicts up to 170 Australians will die in 2016 from amphetamines. At July 1, 2016 a total of 3 young people died, presumably, from Ecstasy at outdoor EDM events (ie: less than 2%). A similar average was demonstrated at one of Australia's largest legal bush doofs in early 2016 where as few as 1 in 137 were reportedly detected with drugs in their system (along with zero drug-dealing arrests).
Hence, when police say most youth at these events are taking risks with drugs, the data suggests it is not most, but less than 5%. Interestingly, in the documentary, one youth says "everyone here is on drugs", not because mass drug-taking was witnessed at all, but because that is the general assumption put across to young people. They know that is why police are there, since police make drug announcements very loudly before, during and after all EDM events.
One of primary reasons police might want adults to think these events are more dangerous drug environments than clubs, pubs and bars is to have them permanently shut down so they don't have to police them. More often than not, these outdoor events are a huge strain on resources and they're usually a long way from the 'burbs. This sentiment was echoed by the NSW Premier at the start of the year in his "enough's enough" campaign where he threatened to make event organisers pay for police services.
Over and above events being targeted, police are also feeling the sting of youth-revolt. For example, a recent (allegedly "rave") party in Sydney erupted into violence when police tried to shut it down and youth tried to defend their rights. Both sides suffered injuries as a result hence, police don't particularly want to service youth parties anymore either. Justification has become as easy as calling any type of youth gathering a "drug-rave" even though it is this very practice which caused much of the conflict to begin with.
But, statistical literacy and bureaucratic non-sense aside, the most important fact of all, overlooked by almost everyone including police, is "the same things which reduce harm in alcohol environments, also reduce harm in drug environments" (ie: attentative and diligent police work).
We can't afford to be choosy. Whether the concern is drugs or alcohol, either we're invested in reducing harm or we're not and sitting on the fence is as good as not.
