A 24-year-old education student has avoided a conviction for taking drugs into the Rainbow Serpent Festival.
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The woman, who The Courier has chosen not to name because she avoided a conviction, was caught with a number of drugs in her bag including ice and GHB.
She pleaded guilty at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Friday to possessing those drugs.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Simon Pearce said the accused was caught with the drugs while her friend was having a medical episode at 1.30pm at the festival on January 26.
He said paramedics and police arrived and asked the accused if she knew what her friend had taken.
The accused then alerted police to two bottles containing GHB in her bag, and 38 white tablets and ice in another bag.
She made a no comment interview with police.
The court was told the woman attended the Lexton music festival after she suddenly found herself unemployed and her friend had died.
Her lawyer urged the court to consider a good behaviour bond without conviction, given wanted to be a teacher.
Magistrate Barry Schultz told the woman she went to a festival where drug use was rife, as reported in the media.
"I had a feeling you wanted to engage and enjoy that festival as much as possible," Mr Schultz said.
He reminded the woman she was in possession of the drug ice, which had its dangers.
The student was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond with conviction. The magistrate agreed a conviction would interfere with her career and took into account teachers' stressful positions.
But he warned: "If you commit any further offences you will come back to court and be re-sentenced," Mr Schultz said.
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