Police concede it's inevitable that drug dealers will shadow underage dance parties, raising questions about whether they should be permitted inside adult venues.
The Home nightclub at Darling Harbour had plenty of security, even guards running metal detectors over everyone going in, but the trouble was outside - drugs and violence.
Things first got out of hand when two teenage girls started physically fighting, prompting police to call for back-up - and sniffer dogs.
LIVENEWS.com.au was there as police searched almost 2000 teenagers queued outside.
Some could be seen throwing drugs and empty plastic bags away as the police neared.
Officers subsequently charged five teenagers - aged 15 to 17 - with drug possession and for attacking officers.
Three girls went to hospital, one with a suspected drug overdose.
The dance party was specifically marketed to the under-aged and there was no alcohol sold inside - but the nightclub is normally an adult venue.
Police Superintendent Mark Murdoch, has told 2GB’s Ray Hadley there’s little anyone can do.
“It is quite obvious that no matter what measures a club and police put in place to prevent this kind of behaviour it goes on nonetheless.”
11:00 AM
The parents of under-aged teenagers are being warned about the dangers of dance parties, even if they are designated alcohol free.
Five youngsters, including girls aged just 14 and 15, were arrested at Home nightclub in Cockle Bay last night when drug and alcohol fuelled violence broke out.
One girl was hospitalised with a drug overdose.
Andrew, whose son attended the event, has told 2GB’s Alan Jones parents must take more responsibility.
“Speak to your kids, you’ll find that they know there are drugs around there and it really comes down to how you raise your kids,” he said.
“And I guarantee you, 90 per cent of the parents would have dropped their kids off at Darling Harbour and then picked them up at midnight.”
9:00 AM
Five teenagers have been arrested and three girls taken to hospital after an underage dance party at Darling Harbour.
The dance party for under 18s was held at the Home nightclub in Darling Harbour last night.
Called submission - it was promoted in the school holidays as a time to go wild.
And police were certainly kept busy – 2,000 young teenagers descending into the area.
A plain clothed police officer conducting a sniffer dog operation was punched repeatedly - two boys aged 16 and 17 have been charged with assault.
Two arrests were for drug possession - another boy was allegedly caught in possession of a knife.
Two girls aged just 14 and 15 were taken to hospital for intoxication - a 17-year -old girl suffered a suspected overdose of the drug GHB.
Inspector Mark Kellett says if parents become more aware of what they’re children are doing this sort of thing can be avoided.
“These days it’s so rapidly available to the young people – alcohol and unfortunately drugs as well, and it is a concern and all parents should be aware of where their children are and what they’re actually doing.”