Palaszczuk government considers pill-testing program to protect drug users at summer music festivals

A controversial pill-testing program is being looked at by the Queensland Government, as the state grapples with ways to better protect drug-users

A CONTROVERSIAL pill-testing program is being looked at by the Queensland Government, as the state grapples with ways to better protect drug-users.

Joshua Tam, 22, died after he consumed a suspected party drug at the Lost Paradise festival north of Sydney. Picture: Facebook

Health Minister Steven Miles said the Government was considering findings from the Groovin’ the Moo music festival in Canberra last year, where people could test the purity and strength of pills.

Groovin’ The Moo Festival is the first-ever pill-testing site | The Courier-Mail

The revelation follows the tragic death of Brisbane footballer Joshua Tam, 22, who consumed a suspected party drug at the Lost Paradise festival north of Sydney at the weekend.

Mr Miles said he was distressed to hear about Mr Tam.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare and my thoughts are with his family and friends,” he said.

“Queensland Health is considering the findings of that report (from Canberra).”

Tributes have flowed for Mr Tam as friends and family take to social media to remember a “popular” and “happy” Queensland University Technology student.

“(Josh was) the most beautiful, genuine and generous bloke I’d ever met,” one friend posted.

GPS Rugby Club, which counted Mr Tam among its players, paid tribute on Facebook.

“Importantly, he was very popular among his peers due to his friendly and happy nature,” it wrote.

The Canberra pilot, carried out by STA-SAFE Consortium in April last year, operated as a health service where people could test their pills confidentially.

Highly toxic chemicals were found in some of the drugs.

Gino Vumbaca, co-founder and president of Harm Reduction Australia, which is part of the consortium, said the State Government had been given the findings months ago.

“We welcome that approach (Queensland Government considering report) and we look forward to hearing from them,” he said.

“Relying on a strategy of trying to prevent drugs from entering the festival is not effective.

“The reality is, drugs will always get in.”

Mr Vumbaca said parents should not have to be woken up by a 3am phone call to be told their child was sick or worse.

Qld Health Minister Steven Miles said the Government was considering findings from the Groovin’ the Moo music festival in Canberra last year, where people could test the purity and strength of pills.

“What they’re not trying to do is end up in an ambulance on the way to hospital,” he said.

“You can reduce the likelihood (of illness or death).

“We’re not condoning it (drug use), but we’re not going to condemn it either.

“You can’t go through this every summer, every festival season.”

Mr Vumbaca said the consortium expected to run further programs this year.