The calls come just days before more than 14,000 patrons and 4000 staff, artists and volunteers are expected to flock to a property near Lexton on Friday for the three-day “bush doof”.

Ballarat police officers and festival staff have met recently to inspect the site and discuss operations at the event, which is now in its 21^st year.

Inspector Trevor Cornwill said police were concerned about drug use at music festivals across the state.

“There will be a lot of people from Melbourne going, so they will be driving on unfamiliar roads,” he said.

“The residual effects of alcohol and drugs mean they could still be in your system the next day, and if you are concerned about that, don’t drive.”

Police from both the Ballarat region and Melbourne will attend the event and officers will also be out on the roads.

Rainbow Serpent director Tim Harvey urged festivalgoers not to take drugs to the site and said his team supported Victoria Police’s work in keeping impaired drivers off the road.

“Don’t drive anywhere impaired, you’re putting your own life as well as your passengers and other road users at risk,” he said.

“It’s important for people to understand that in Victoria roadside drug testing does not test for impairment.

“You may feel completely fine to drive and still fail the test from taking a drug the day before.”

This year’s event comes after the problem of sexual assaults at festivals was thrust into the spotlight this summer following an alleged incident at Falls Festival in Tasmania and at Rainbow in previous years.

Inspector Cornwill called on people to stay with their friends and look out for each other.

Mr Harvey said: “I think the success of the #MeToo campaign shows that sexual assault has always been a horrific, often hidden, blight on humanity. I believe we are among the leaders in providing services, education and transparency in this area."