Controversial pill testing program still being considered by Palaszczuk government

As music festivals make their return post-Covid, a peak body is making a renewed call for a contentious pill testing program to be rolled out, and the Palaszczuk government is still openly considering it.

A contentious pill testing program is still being considered by the Palaszczuk government, as one peak body called for it to be prioritised as music festivals return.

Queensland Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies’ (QNADA) boss Rebecca Lang said pill testing was a “pragmatic response” for people who had already made up their minds about taking drugs.

In early 2019, it was revealed the government was looking at whether the program could be rolled out in Queensland to better protect drug users.

It followed the tragic death of Brisbane footballer Joshua Tam who died after ingesting drugs at a NSW music festival.

He was one of five young people who died between September 2018 and January 2019.

At the time, the government said it was considering findings from a 2018 pill testing trial at the Groovin’ the Moo music festival in Canberra.

Joshua Tam died after ingesting drugs at a NSW music festival.

Then, last month, the country’s first fixed-site pill testing clinic opened in the ACT.

Ms Lang, who is the independent body’s chief executive officer, said festivals had resumed in Europe this summer following a hiatus during the pandemic and that there were “some substances of concern” circulating.

“That’s a really good reason to prioritise trying out this type of service in Queensland,” she said.

Asked whether the government was still considering pill testing, a spokesman for Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said, “To support evidence-based services that help reduce drug-related harms for Queenslanders, we are continuing to work with stakeholders including other government agencies on any new approaches.”

Pill testing is expected to be discussed at QNADA’s national alcohol and other drugs conference in Brisbane next week where the findings from the Canberra trial will be considered.

A pill testing stand at the Rainbow Serpent Festival.

Ms Lang said QNADA hoped pill testing would feature in the government’s upcoming alcohol and other drugs plan that’s due to be released shortly.

She said the organisation would be looking to have a conversation with Ms D’Ath.

It comes as The Loop Australia’s national operations manager Cameron Francis said the organisation was ready to deliver pill testing in Queensland.

The Loop, which is located in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, has been working on developing a drug checking service since 2018.

“We own all of the equipment we need to deliver it,” Mr Francis said.

“We’re ready to deliver it.”

Mr Francis said the organisation was waiting for the necessary approvals and licensing from the government.

He said pill testing could be undertaken at fixed-sites or at events like music festivals.