One person is on life support, while 24 others have been treated in hospital for suspected drug taking at three dance festivals over the long weekend.

14 people have been charged with drug-related offences at one festival alone.

Half a million dollars has been spent on awareness campaigns and specialised medical services at the events, but Health Minister Brad Hazzard says young people “aren’t getting the message”.

Paramedics believe some patients would’ve have survived if it wasn’t for highly trained emergency doctors who were on site at the festivals, for the very first time.

Mr Hazzard tells Ben Fordham “the problem with these drugs, particularly MDMA is you’re already cooking well and truly from the inside by the time you realise.

“We thought if we can encourage these young people to get into a [medical tent] fast, and have the team there… then perhaps it might work.

“It does appear that that’s the case.”

The minister also reveals ecstasy has been the biggest killer at music festivals this summer, with five people killed in New South Wales alone.

He tells Ben toxicology reports on the deaths of five people at festival events since September, point to ecstasy as the cause of death.

Click PLAY below to hear the full interview