Senate calls for pill-testing at festivals

The passing of a motion by the Australian Greens could see pill-testing introduced and sniffer dogs removed from festivals.

The motion was brought before the Senate and passed without objection on August 31, which for the last 15 years has been International Overdose Awareness Day.

The support from the Liberals and Labor senators also encompasses:

• Supervised injecting rooms across Australia
• Greater access to needle and syringe programs across the country with an urgent roll-out of trials inside prisons,
• And promoting awareness of the life-saving opioid reversal drug Naloxone, and highlighting its availability over the counter in pharmacies

Greens Leader Dr. Richard Di Natale, a former drug and alcohol clinician, said: "Six people in Australia die each day due to overdose. It’s devastating for families, it’s entirely preventable, and our country’s politicians need to find the courage to do what they can to prevent further harm.”

The motion to introduce trials of pill testing for the upcoming festivals season may prove hard to get past the Turnbull Government. The Greens’ idea to offer five testing machines and two full-time staff for pill-testing at major festivals and events around Tasmania was rejected.

Police Minister Rene Hidding stood resolutely against the idea in June. “This Government will not provide quality assurance for drug pushers,” he said. 

Meanwhile, governments in both Victoria and New South Wales have resisted the proposal. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said “I don’t support that […] What we have to do is make sure those that are manufacturing get what they deserve, and those who are selling, equally, are treated with the full force of the law.”

NSW Premier Mike Baird was quoted saying: "There’s a pretty simple way that you know you’re going to be safe; don’t take the pills."

The possibility of pill-testing at Australian music festivals became a national issue in February after a group of medical professionals, lead by Drug Law Reform Foundation President, Dr. Alex Wodak, decided to respond tp the wake of one of the worst summers for overdoses and deaths at music festivals around the country. 

As reported in ToneDeaf, in 2015 alone drug use at festivals has resulted in six deaths and more than 150 arrests.

"I’m pleased the Senate has agreed that the Federal Government should act,” said Di Natale in a statement. “Now it’s time for Liberal and Labor governments to back these measures in every state and territory."