LOVE'S IN THE AIR, ALCOHOL NOWHERE

There was little for the police to do - not a single fight and only one
arrest for a minor drink-driving charge.

Why? The answer, say police and health experts, may be the great shift
among young party goers from alcohol and its associated aggressive
behaviour to ecstasy, the love drug.

"It was quite amazing," a senior Bondi police officer said of one of the
most trouble-free New Year's Eves in years.

"Five or 10 years ago everyone would have been drunk and there would have
been fights everywhere. The paddy wagons would have been full, but we had
no trouble at all this year.

"The big topic of conversation amongst the officers on the night was how
the widespread use of ecstasy has really calmed things down. It has changed
the whole scene."

The officers at Bondi were easily able to pick out those who had used the
drug, with their broad, dopey smiles, dilated pupils and rapid chewing of gum.

There are concerns that ecstasy may cause damage to brain cells - this has
been shown in animal experiments - but the jury is still out on the verdict
for humans. UK studies have linked its use with forgetfulness, poor
concentration and post-use depression.

In the past few years there has been a shift in the culture of ecstasy in
Sydney from a gay and inner-city club drug to widespread mainstream use in
the young, straight community.

It has been a change that has led to a significant decline in violence,
says Dr Gordian Fulde, the head of accident and emergency at St Vincent's
Hospital.

In the 17 yearshe has been in the job he has seen New Year's Eve turn from
a bit of a "bloodbath" to something akin to any normal Thursday night.

At 2.30am on New Year's Day, his staff were still waiting for patients that
never arrived.

"A few years ago the big thing was to go out and get terribly drunk and
with that came the violence, beatings and vomit," Dr Fulde said.

"But there has been a major cultural change where the young of today would
rather pop a pill, hug each other and dance until dawn - it has certainly
cut down on the violence."

At the three biggest parties held in the city on New Year's Eve - Mobile
Home at Bondi Beach, Pride at the old Showground and NY2K at Homebush -
there were more than 35,000 young people dancing the night away.

Anecdotal reports from police and partygoers at the parties suggested "a
good percentage" of those in attendance had used ecstasy and other party
drugs. No fights or arrests were reported.

Dr Fulde said the long-term effects of ecstasy were not fully known and
people always took a risk when buying illegal drugs. However, the social
effects of widespread ecstasy usewere not as bad as those of alcohol.

"People realise there is another way to have fun other than going out and
getting smashed on alcohol. For a start, the hangover is nowhere near as bad."