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Only one school-leaver was arrested on the first night of Schoolies on the Gold Coast.
Almost all revellers arrested on the first night of Gold Coast Schoolies were toolies, with only one school-leaver detained by police as the 2016 week-long party kicks off.
Thousands of school-leavers descended on the iconic Queensland party strip on Friday night for the start of this year's Schoolies Week celebrations that have become a rite of passage for many teens on the east coast.
Day 1 of GCSW saw 1 Schoolie arrested for drug related offences. https://t.co/6Xh6vrH0wa
— QPS Media Unit (@QPSmedia) November 18, 2016
Police said they arrested 13 people on night 1, with 12 of those detained being "non-schoolies". The majority of the toolies' offences related to public nuisance and drug possession offences.
The 1 school-leaver arrested by police was detained after a number of tablets, believed to be MDMA, were allegedly found in his possession, authorities said in a statement.
It's check-in time! Schoolies celebrations about to get underway 😎 @abcnews #Schoolies2016 pic.twitter.com/H2wpxsYg90
— Ashleigh Stevenson (@ash_stevenson10) November 19, 2016
"It is a timely reminder to the community that the possession and consumption of drugs is illegal. Not only is it illegal but it is also dangerous and could have fatal consequences," police added.
"Police will not hesitate to take enforcement action against anyone found in possession of, supplying, trafficking or producing dangerous drugs."
25 000 teenagers receiving wristbands ahead of celebrations kicking off in the Schoolies Hub tonight @9NewsBrisbane @9NewsGoldCoast pic.twitter.com/nzrStlEasP
— Carrie Greenbank (@CGreenbank9) November 19, 2016
Schoolies learn CPR.. paramedics hope it's a skill they won't need @7NewsQueensland pic.twitter.com/1W4RQLyaZL
— Tom Hartley (@TomHartley_7) November 19, 2016
Approximately 1100 volunteers from various community organisations will be in the area to provide assistance to revellers through the week, according to the Nine Network. The groups include youth outreach group Red Frogs and on-site medical centres.
Judging from social media, revellers are already kicking up their heels for 2016 Schoolies.
