Bring in pill testing or more youths will die

Please, Australian politicians, it's time to introduce pill testing or young people will continue to die at festivals, writes Matty Holdsworth.

I WANT this to be the end. I know it won't be.

The deaths of two young, happy revellers in the prime of their lives have left two Sunshine Coast families in turmoil after their bodies were found in a tent at a music festival.

While it is not yet confirmed, police believe drugs may have played a part.

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Please, Australian politicians, wake up and end this epidemic or more young people will continue to die.

Ask yourselves, what if your child overdosed and died? What would you do?

Would you act on it, or continue to hum and haw like you are now?

I'm not saying this would have avoided it. But it could have helped.

I've sat in courtrooms where judges slam pill-poppers on the dangers of drugs.

Despite the fines, despite the warnings, the message isn't getting across.

I've danced in nightclubs surrounded by sweaty ravers and eyes lit up like the moon.

It can be scary.

Why is the government so opposed to pill testing when Queensland's top doctor is adamant of its success?

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Dilip Dhupelia said he supports a "controlled, holistic approach to minimising harm and stopping deaths among young and unsuspecting drug users”.

What is it going to take for pill testing to become mandatory? Dassarn Tarbutt and Ebony Greening deserve more.