Festivalgoers across Australia are being warned to stop playing Russian roulette by popping pills after two men died in suspected overdoses at separate music events.
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A 20-year-old Victorian died in hospital on Tuesday after attending the Beyond The Valley festival in Lardner, east of Melbourne, on Saturday.
The circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be confirmed but it is not being treated as suspicious and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Another man at the same festival, aged in his 20s, was also airlifted to hospital after suffering a drug overdose and has since been discharged.
A 22-year-old Queenslander died after going to the Lost Paradise Music Festival at Glenworth Valley north of Sydney on Saturday night.
While the tragedies have re-ignited debate about pill testing, both the NSW and Victorian governments remain opposed to the idea.
"Advice from Victoria Police tells us it can give people a false and potentially fatal sense of security about illicit drugs," a Victorian government spokesman told AAP.
But Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns said the latest death could have been avoided - or at least that such risks could be minimised - with a law change.
"To refuse pill testing when it is known to save lives in Europe, North America and here, in Canberra, is grossly irresponsible on the part of (Victoria's) Andrews government," Mr Barns said.
Another 40 people were caught with drugs and eight revellers arrested for trafficking and possessing drugs as well as for outstanding warrants at a music event in Melbourne on Tuesday.
NSW police also warned revellers to steer clear of drug use in the lead up to Field Day in Sydney's Domain on New Year's Day.
Organisers of the annual four-state Falls Festival series also warned on Sunday of "dangerous orange pills" in circulation.
However Victoria's deputy police commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday no matter the colour of the pill it isn't worth taking the chance.
"Any pill - it doesn't matter what the colour is. You don't know what's in it," Mr Patton said.
"They're produced by criminals. Often, it's just garbage picked up off a floor and thrown in a mix."
Australian Associated Press
