Revellers ringing in the new year at Sydney's Field Day have been warned by police that they're taking their life into their own hands if they take drugs, no matter the colour of the pill.
Alcohol and illegal substances cannot be taken into the Fuzzy event, held in the Domain from midday on Tuesday.
"We all should be concerned about electronic music festivals," NSW Police Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Walton told reporters in Sydney.
"There is a clear association with illicit drug use at those festivals and the worst outcomes are being seen at times."
A 22-year-old Queensland man was taken to Gosford Hospital on Saturday night after attending the Lost Paradise Music Festival at Glenworth Valley and died a short time later.
Falls Festival organisers issued a warning to attendees on Sunday afternoon - in the midst of three of their four nationwide music events - regarding a "dangerous orange pill" currently in circulation across Australia.
Mr Walton on Tuesday said they have always policed Sydney's Field Day "very strongly".
"I really don't think that's helpful to particularise or describe a real drug. What does that mean? How many orange pills are there out there? Who's made them?," he said.
"The real message is no one knows what is in these pills and illicit drugs. It's dangerous. Do not use them."
NSW Ambulance Chief Superintendent Ian Johns said among the 2500 triple zero calls received over New Year's Eve, a lot of patients required treatment for intoxication of a variety of substances.
"Mainly alcohol but also dance party and social-type drugs. Thankfully, almost all of those patients were transported in a stable condition to the hospitals," he said.
Chief Supt Johns asked Field Day attendees to also be mindful of the stifling heat.
"It's a great day, it's a huge day and thousands of people will be in the Domain having a wonderful time and we just ask that they hydrate, behave sensibly, look after each other but seek the support of the medical services that are on-site should you think you need help," he said.
There were 21 drug-related charges laid by police during an 11-hour New Year's Eve operation ending Tuesday.
"Drugs are illegal, we have no tolerance for it, and you take your own life in your own hands by consuming illicit drugs. Be it at one of these festivals or any day of the week," Mr Walton said.
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