THREE young residents have revealed just how easy it is to get your hands on illegal drugs in Griffith in the wake of the tragic death of 19-year-old Georgina Bartter.
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Miss Bartter died after attending Harbourlife music festival in Sydney last weekend.
A 22-year-old Griffith man, who regularly goes out to local pubs or clubs, said drugs were "very" accessible in the city.
"I go out every weekend almost or every second weekend. You don't see them take it, but you can tell who is on it by how they behave," he said.
"The most popular drugs I've seen are Ecstasy and MDMA/speed.
"I guess it's the cheapness and availability. They say it makes their experience more enjoyable.
"I'd say drug use is about half as common as alcohol use, it's just the culture."
A 23-year-old local woman, who attends university, said while she had never actually seen anyone taking drugs in front of her while out, there was no doubt "a lot" of people did.
"I personally don't get the attraction," she said.
"I don't go out every weekend, but when I do I don't think that if I wanted a drug there would be any problem getting it. If I wanted to I'd just ask a friend of a friend.
"For me, it's the lack of control. At least if I'm drinking alcohol I know I can limit it.
"If you take a pill you have no choice but to ride out the effects. What happened to Georgina is sad. It's just one case though.
"How many others were doing it at that festival and walked away?"
A 23-year-old Leeton woman believed shows such as Skins and Breaking Bad had a lot to answer for.
"I know drugs are very easy to get because I've actually seen it," she said.
"I was approached in front of a pub with security right there.
"Marijuana is the easiest drug especially at uni. I think Skins and Breaking Bad normalise drug use to some degree.
"I have heard it's cheaper to take one pill than drink alcohol because you get the same effect plus more.
"I've been to music festivals and even though there are sniffer dogs and police it's still part of the culture.
"You can tell who is using. They chew the side of their cheek, lick their lips a lot, have bloodshot eyes and just look out of it.
"I was once at a party and I heard there were people doing lines of cocaine in the bathroom. I left straight away.
"There needs to be more emphasis on the dangers."
