New campaign responds to Melbourne police crackdown on drugs

A harm minimisation campaign helping clubbers access legal information and sniffer dog locations is being launched in response to a police crackdown on drugs in Melbourne clubbing precincts.

Another 10 people were arrested on Chapel St at the weekend as part of 'Operation Safenight,' the Herald Sun reports, following 20 arrests on its first weekend.

The crackdown is targeting venue dancefloors, bathrooms, lines and city streets with a heavy presence of uniformed and undercover police officers, and sniffer dogs, to try and catch people dealing and in possession of illegal substances.

Now, clubbers will be able to access real-time sniffer dog locations via text message by signing up through the 'High Alert' campaign site, which also provides information on legal rights and drug and alcohol support.

"We want people to know that Operation Safenight is happening, and they have support if they are adversely affected by it," High Alert founder Nevena Spirovska told Mixmag.

Melbourne clubbers can also stay up to date with the movements of Operation Safenight by liking the High Alert Facebook page and looking out for campaigners with flyers and yellow tees when out.

The campaign has its official launch at Hugs & Kisses this Thursday night, May 11. Donations are welcome here. You can sign the petition against the use of sniffer dogs in the state of Victoria here.

For more information, head to the High Alert website.

Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Digital Content Editor, follow him on Twitter