After a long wait, Queensland has become the first state to introduce pill testing. This follows the previous success of trials in Canberra at Groovin The Moo festival back in 2018 & 2019.
Under the new scheme, festival-goers will be able to get their drugs tested for dangerous substances at ‘mobile and fixed sites’, where a team of trained professionals – who obviously don’t hand the drugs back – will provide information on the contents and potential risks of the substances.
The state health minister, Yvette D’Ath, said on Saturday: “Pill testing is all about harm minimisation; we don’t want people ending up in our emergency departments or worse losing their life.’’
‘’It is important to note that pill testing services do not promote that drugs are safe, however they are among a suite of options that can positively affect outcomes regarding illicit drug use.’’
She continued: “Drug testers can also influence a drug taker’s behaviour, making them more likely to dispose of substances, decrease the amount they take, tell their peers and be more likely to seek help if they or others are experiencing adverse effects.’’
Watch the story on 7 News:
Check out this feature article we did a while back on arguing the case for pill testing at Aussie music festivals. Header image credit: Groovin The Moo Festival.
