One dead and 78 people were found with drugs at Festival

She complained to friends about feeling sick at the Dragon Dreaming Festival at Wee Jasper on Sunday evening, and was found not breathing and unresponsive at about 5.30am on Monday.

Medics performed CPR at the festival ground but couldn't revive her.

Although the cause of her death is yet unknown, police have confirmed that she wasn’t suffering from any medical conditions.

More than 70 police officers patrolled the four-day festival and made 78 drug detections – up from last year's 74. They included cannabis, ecstasy, heroin, ice and magic mushrooms. There were also 20 positive random drug tests from festival-goers leaving the event on Monday. Three people have also been charged with supply.

Superintendent Zoran Dzevlan said the numbers were massive. 

“It is tragic that a young life has been lost and that a family is mourning the life of their daughter,” he said.

“Once the police have obtained all their statistics from the weekend they will be putting a recommendation to the council not to approve the event next year.

“I didn’t want this event to happen in the first place. We put our objections forward to council and as a result of these drug detections, and the tragic death of a young lady, we will again be putting our recommendations forward for this event not to take place in our community.” 

He said there were about 2500 festival-goers at Dragon Dreaming, and he thinks its drug culture makes it one of the most concerning Australian music festivals.

Someone from the "Dragon Dreaming Festival 2015" Facebook page commented on a post on the group's wall offering their "sincerest condolences" to the woman's family and friends. 

"The thoughts of all our staff, volunteers and patrons are with you," it reads.

One festival goer, Wade Fuller, attends this festival regularly and said that although it was a tragedy, the Dragon Dreaming is an amazing festival with the most incredible people.

“It's a place where a like minded people can gather and escape the stresses of everyday life. The festival is extremely, socially inclusive and encourages people to let down any inhibitions through dance and conversation with others,” he said. 

“I felt that I was safe even while being around complete strangers. This is in direct contrast to what I have been advised of when it comes to other more mainstream festivals.”

Another attendee, Mikey Coomber, described it as having "more acid than a battery factory, ‘skitz’ times".

Yass Valley mayor Rowena Abbey said that it was disappointing to see the high numbers of positive drug tests and that a life was lost.

“It was terrible news to hear of any death and indeed of someone so young,” Cr Abbey said. 

She said the Dragon Dreaming DA will be subject for review annually and will take into account the reports from the police, coroner and event organisers.

The Tribune attempted to contact the organisers of the Dragon Dreaming Festival without success.