Canberra man says pill testing has made his drug use less impulsive

An infrequent drug user says pill testing in Canberra has made his drug taking less impulsive, and could have prevented dangerous situations he’s witnessed.

A Canberra man talks about how the ACT's CANTest pill testing scheme has changed his drug habits. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Darryl* is a born and bred Canberran in his early 20s who describes himself as an infrequent drug user who uses “party drugs” on special occasions.

He said he felt “really welcomed” when he attended the CANTest drug testing facility in Civic, the first of its kind in Australia, to test a sample of MDMA he had in his possession.

“It was a very non-judgmental atmosphere, and I got my sample tested relatively quickly,” he said.

“Afterwards I had a briefing with one of the workers and was given relevant advice about the substance that I brought in.”

Canberra man Darryl* says he felt welcomed when he used the CANTest drug testing service Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The drug test ultimately confirmed his sample was pure MDMA.

Darryl said he feels “privileged” to live in a city with a “progressive” approach to drug harm minimisation.

“I feel very safe taking drugs here now, especially because of the (availability) of pill testing,” he said.

“Another byproduct of pill testing is we know what’s going around in Canberra now – we know what drugs are showing up with the public alerts that come out.

“I just feel really informed and safe (here) compared to NSW where there is still so much stigma.”

A chemical analyst runs a test at CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service in Canberra. Picture: Martin Ollman

Despite pill testing making him feel safer taking drugs in general, Darryl says he has changed his drug habits due to both the availability and findings of the CANTest service.

“Some of these public alerts have been really shocking to me, (without CANTest) I just wouldn’t have known, or the people around me wouldn’t have known and would have been using these substances blindly,” he said.

“The fact that Canberra cocaine is apparently so bad … since I found that out I haven’t touched cocaine at all.

“If anything, the progressive reforms in the ACT and the presence of the drug testing facility here has led to my drug use going down in frequency.

“I feel less impulsive with my drug use. I no longer feel that I need to take it as soon as I get it.”

“I feel less impulsive with my drug use” Darryl said taking the time to get drugs tested before he takes it has reduced his drug taking. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Darryl said he has witnessed dangerous situations among his friends and peers who have had negative experiences with drugs which he believes could have been prevented if drug testing was available.

“I’ve seen people have really severe adverse experiences, I’ve seen people who have taken way too much MDMA,” he said.

“A lot of substances that are substituted for MDMA are more potent, so these people don’t know what they are taking.”

One particular incident seared in Darryl’s mind is an incident where a friend took too much LSD.

“(My friend) just really didn’t know much about it at all, about the dosage or anything,” he said.

“He ended up needing hospitalisation, he had to get an ambulance and stay in the hospital for four hours before someone could pick him up.

“If he had his drugs tested he would have known what was in it, and peer workers at testing facilities can inform you about safe and unsafe dosages.”

Darryl said his friend could have avoided an adverse reaction to LSD if he was able to check his drugs before taking them . Picture: Martin Ollman

Darryl said his incident occurred in NSW and the legal ramifications of drug possession were a “major concern” alongside health concerns.

“My other friends were hesitant to call the ambulance and get to hospital,” he said

“My other friends were intoxicated as well, there were all these thoughts going through your head because of all the stigma and legality around drugs.

“Making a decision in that moment can be clouded.”

Ultimately his friend luckily did not suffer long-term effects from his adverse reaction to the drug and did not face legal ramifications.

Darryl said he wants to see CANTest continued beyond August and wants to see more testing sites opened across Canberra.

“I think it wouldn't make any sense for the ACT Government to make such a reform and then reduce this service that reduces the harm associated with drug use,” he said.

“ I understand (CANTest) is just an experiment, but I think it’s a really great service.

“It ought to be expanded because the hours are not ideal at the moment, it’s only open two days a week at really weird times, it's not exactly the most convenient for people to utilise.”

Darryl echoed ACT Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith’s call for other states and territories to send officials to Canberra to see how CANTest works.

“If you’re going to criticise something, you actually have to see the effects of how it works first hand,” he said.

*Not his real name.

Originally published as Canberra man says pill testing has made his drug use less impulsive