Leavers Week commences next Monday and police have asked parents to be vigilant in relation to their children possessing drugs and alcohol in the leadup to the celebrations.

They also encourage parents to talk openly to their children about the dangers of binge drinking and ‘party drugs'.

Police advised young people to stay away from drugs because the chemicals put into the pills are usually made in unsafe and unsterile environments using harmful cutting agents which are not fit for human consumption and would be fatal.

Sergeant Craig Anderson, from the Dunsborough Police Station, advised the Mail yesterday that a number of measures could be introduced at the local level to reduce the incidence of drug use.

“Police will be using a number of drug detection strategies targeting the sale and possession of illicit drugs,” he said. “These measures include the use of roadblocks, targeted and mobile actions where people and vehicles may be searched.”

This year police have a number of additional resources to prevent illicit drug use, including the use of drug-detection dogs and passive-alert dogs or PAD dogs as they are referred to in the force.

Sgt Anderson said that the difference between the two dogs is that: “Drug detection dogs are used to search vehicles, property and premises, while PAD dogs would sniff out drugs on a person – they are trained differently and would react differently.”

Sgt Anderson advised that the specially-trained dogs could be used anywhere at any time, including at accommodation areas, transport or the event itself. “I make no apology for the measures put in place to keep Leavers safe this year,” he said. “Using the dogs as a resource is part of our operational focus to target ‘toolies’ and drug dealers. We want to ensure that leavers are able to celebrate safely with their mates.”

Police are asking anyone who is offered drugs to contact them on 131 444 or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with the information of the person offering the drugs.

They also advised leavers that if someone they know has taken drugs, and are starting to feel unwell, the best thing to do is seek medical attention and inform the medical officers of the drugs which have been taken so they can take appropriate action immediately.