Police are investigating a wild sex and drug "rave" party at the Old Adelaide Gaol.
Several drug dealers were detected at the party, which was attended by up to 1500 ‘ravers’ as young as 14. The party’s promoter is being investigated by police and the Liquor Licensing commission after the manic night in which:
THIRTEEN men were reported for drug dealing and one man was arrested for assaulting police. TWO partygoers were rushed to hospital after collapsing, either from dancing exhaustion or the effects of drugs. A NEEDLE-exchange room was set up for the heroin users. ABOUT 20 candle lit ‘chill out’ rooms with pillows and mattresses were set aside for the revellers inside the building. TWO CONDOMS were handed to each raver who entered the party. ONLY four security guards were employed to control the huge crowd. Last night, police said they were ‘concerned’ about the party and the wide-spread use of drugs. Cannabis and the so-called love drugs ecstasy and amyl-nitrate were found inside the jail. Cylinders of nitrous oxide, which is inhaled to give a ‘rush’ but can sometimes blow out front teeth, were found littered on roads surrounding the building. STAR division, Adelaide and Hindley street police and liquor licence inspectors joined a combined raid on the party, which finished about 5am on Friday. Some of the 13 men reported for possessing or selling drugs were believed to be offering drugs to partygoers before they entered the jail. Partygoers had paid $30 each for tickets to ‘The Australia Day Party’. The officer-in-charge of Hindley Street Police, Inspector Jim Langmead, said last night possible links between the party and other recent ‘rave’ parties were being investigated to determine whether ‘ the same organisers are setting them up’ He said police were gathering intelligence in a bid to uncover a suggested underground network of organisers and ravers to determine time and locations of future parties. Preliminary reports indicate tickets for the parties are being sold at selected Adelaide record shops. Inspector Langmead said the widely signposted needle exchange at the party promoted drug use. "I am concerned it give the wrong message to partygoers - it gives the message that if you come here it’s okay to use and inject," he said. " and they (needles) can be used as weapons."
Investigations by THE ADVERTISER have revealed the promoter was granted a $22 limited liquor licence for the party. The Old Adelaide Goal , which closed in 1988 after 147 years in service, is under the control of the state heritage branch of the Environment and Natural Resources Department. It is used as a museum and is often hired out to the public for parties and functions. The Liquor Licensing Commissioner, Mr Bill Pryor, said the party promoter would be investigated to determine whether the application - which used the name of a top class Adelaide establishment - was misleading. It is believed the commission thought the Australia Day party would involve bush bands and a family show. "We will be considering action against them", Mr pryor said. "We will look at it and maybe the answer is coming down hard on them.
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