Drunks put events at risk

Festival patrons who drink irresponsibly are risking the future of Pilbara events, according to police and event organisers.

The Pilbara Liquor Enforcement unit's Senior Constable Dean Lyon issued the warning after the high number of people "preloading" - getting drunk before an event - resulted in revellers passing out in the carpark before this year's Gossip Festival began.

"Before it had even started there was a girl passed out in the car park and patrons were being evicted by 5pm," he said.

"There was evidence people were already intoxicated on the buses coming to the event and some patrons were witnessed sculling bottles of wine in cars before attempting to enter the gate.

"There was also evidence of recreational drug use at the festival - one individual was evicted on suspicion of supplying drugs and later charged for re-entering the licensed venue."

As they increasingly worry about the effects of alcohol in the community, local police are now considering flying drug detection dogs from Perth for major events, and introducing further restrictions on organised events.

Officers are also discussing re-establishing a liquor accord in the region.

Wrapped Creations director David Yakas, whose company organises Gossip Festival, said his long-term concern was that irresponsible drinking practices could put liquor licence applications at risk for future events.

"As an event organiser we take as many steps as we can to create a safe environment, including putting on buses to stop drink-drivinging, having experienced bar staff to monitor levels of intoxication and putting on crowd controllers to assist in maintaining order," he said.

"Unfortunately, when people choose to arrive at the event under the influence it can potentially create unsafe situations that either crowd controllers or police are left to deal with.

"We certainly don't want our events to be stopped as it has an impact on the whole community, so all we can ask is that people think about their actions, make smart choices and understand staff working at these events are there to make the evening enjoyable."

Sen. Const. Lyon said the behaviour at Gossip Festival, which resulted in several arrests, was indicative of a wider issue with binge drinking and substance abuse in the Pilbara.

"Evidence shows that there is an excessive drinking problem in the Pilbara," he said. "A few years back the Pilbara had a consumption rate 2.5 times the national average and although that has dropped in the latest report, we are still higher that the national average.

"Specifically there is a significant issue with binge drinking and people going out to drink to excess in one night - we notice that Saturday nights are by far the busiest between 10am and 3am, with 90 per cent of police time being occupied by alcohol-related incidents.

"Preloading before a night out may save you money on drinks but what you save on drinks could cost you your night or, even worse, someone's life."

Sen. Const. Lyon said in the first quarter of this year 237 assaults were reported in the Pilbara and alcohol was confirmed as a factor in 49 per cent of those incidents.

"We have just had a meeting that was attended by about 25 licensees from within the City of Karratha where it was agreed that the (liquor) accord should be re-established and discussion around a formal accord agreement was held," he said.

"It encourages the adoption of a range of positive and effective community-based harm minimisation and prevention strategies aimed at reducing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour stemming from the excessive consumption of alcohol."