POLICE DEFEND USE OF DRUG SNIFFER DOGS

Police have defended their use of drug sniffer dogs at music festivals
after the suspected fatal overdose of teenager Gemma Thoms.

The 17-year-old apprentice hairdresser collapsed at the Big Day Out on
Sunday after apparently swallowing several ecstasy pills in a panicked
attempt to avoid police detection.

Although police with dogs were only at a nearby train station, it is
believed she may have heard stories from other people while waiting in
line to enter Claremont Showground and became frightened police near the
gates would search her.

As the investigation into Gemma's death continued yesterday, WA Police hit
back at suggestions that their tactics contributed to the girl's death.

The Youth Affairs Council of WA and NSW Greens MP Sylvia Hale said the
presence of the police and dogs would have intimidated and frightened
festival-goers and might have contributed to the "horrible mistake" the
teenager made.

YACWA chief executive Lisa Laschon said the police operation was to make
patrons feel "threatened, intimidated and fearful, in the hope that young
people would decide not to consume illicit substances at the event or at
future events".

"What worries me the most is whether or not this death could have been
avoided if the relationship young people had with police was not one of
fear and dread," she said.

Ms Hale also claimed that sniffer dogs did nothing to detect the "Mr Bigs"
of drug distribution.

Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan described the claims, which seemed to
suggest "police should turn a blind eye, do nothing about drug possession
and ignore the State's laws regarding illegal drugs" as absurd.

He sent his condolences to Gemma's family but said police did not accept
responsibility for her death. "Police will not be modifying their tactics
when it comes to people who use or deal in illegal drugs, and I believe
the community supports that approach," Mr O'Callaghan said.

Premier Colin Barnett backed his strong stance, saying police had a
responsibility to stop drug use in the community.

Ms Laschon said the Youth Affairs Council did not condone the use of
illicit drugs but a zero tolerance approach did not work and police and
the Government should instead help educate young people about the
consequences of taking drugs.