A police crackdown on alcohol and drug-related misuse in Melbourne yielded more than 40 "detected" offences on Saturday night.
According to a statement from Victoria Police, a number of uniformed police and specialist resources were deployed in the Prahran entertainment precinct of Chapel Street at the weekend as part of the ongoing Operation Safenight, now in its sixth phase.
With a primary focus on locating illicit substances moving through the precinct, the operation detected a total of 44 offences, including possession and transport of drugs — which netted seven arrests — as well as drink, drug and disqualified driving.
Police say that cannabis and GHB were found during the operation, which also detected 13 impaired drivers (eight alcohol-related, five drug-related).
"Police are committed to minimising the terrible harm drugs drive in our community and detection and enforcement is an important pillar in this approach," Superintendent Philip Green said in a statement.
"Police welcome and support a vibrant and engaged entertainment precinct and in return we expect responsible and respectful behaviour at all times."
Operation Safenight also entailed the detection of stolen registration plates, unregistered vehicles and unauthorised drivers, as well as the establishment of the joint police-paramedic Police Ambulance Triage Team.
It continues on Saturday nights through till August, and Superintendent Green says that punters can expect to continue seeing a bolstered police presence until its conclusion.
"We have zero tolerance for drug traffickers and will continue to prevent, detect and disrupt people who bring drugs into Prahran’s entertainment precinct," he said.
"However, the issue of drug harm is not an issue for law enforcement alone. There needs to be a coordinated, whole-of-community response to this issue of drugs in our community."
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