Australia's first fixed pill testing site is opening in Melbourne

The permanent facility comes after successful trials

The lifesaving service is expected to reduce pressure on frontline services.

After successful trials at music festivals across the state, Melbourne is getting its first permanent pill testing site.

Open Thursdays to Sundays from August in the inner-north suburb of Fitzroy from August, the facility is close to nightlife, public transport, community health and social services.

According to the Victoria’s Department of Health, about half of Australian adults have used drugs at some point in their lives, and there has been an increase in emergency department admissions relating to use and overdose deaths involving novel synthetic drugs.

Run by Youth Support and Advocacy Service, The Loop Australia, and Harm Reduction Victoria, the government said the site will provide a free, lifesaving service.

The results of pill testing globally

Pill testing has been proven not to encourage people to use drugs, but to provide education and information about what people are actually taking, so they can make safer, more informed decisions. 

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said, "No drug is safe, but with testing and open, health-focused conversations, we are helping Victorians make more informed and safer choices". 

65 per cent of service users spoke to a health professional about drug and alcohol safety and harm reduction for the first time. Image: Pexels

"Our pill testing trial has already shown young people want the information that could keep them safe and now we'll support even more Victorians with our fixed site service in Fitzroy."

During the service’s trial period, almost 1400 samples were tested at five different festivals. 

65 per cent of service users spoke to a health professional about drug and alcohol safety and harm reduction for the first time, and more than 30 per cent said they would take smaller amounts after these discussions.

And in the UK, police and medical services at a festival said pill testing contributed to a 95 per cent decrease in drug-related hospital admissions. Image: iStock

At a separate pill testing clinic in Canberra, one in 10 samples were discarded on-site once the service user learned what was in them.

One third of people whose sample contained a different or additional drug from what they expected, or where results were inconclusive, said they ‘definitely will not use’ the illicit drug. 

And in the UK, police and medical services at a festival said pill testing contributed to a 95 per cent decrease in drug-related hospital admissions.

Detection of lethal contaminants. Image: Unsplash

Detection of lethal contaminants

Despite Australia not experiencing the same level of fentanyl crisis as the US, the Australian Federal Police has made significant seizures of the opioid in the last three years, suggesting it may be cut into recreational drugs.

Experts are also concerned about the growing presence of nitazenes in Australian wastewater. Canberra's CANTEST service identified a new variant with a high risk of overdose last year, which is “one of the most potent drugs of its class ever detected.”

The government said these drugs can be detected early and rapidly assessed through testing. 

The Fitzroy facility is staffed by chemists who analyse samples of substances, while trained harm reduction workers deliver test results and discuss possible risks. Image: Getty

While still dangerous, being informed about the contents of their samples can help reduce the risk of overdose for service users.

The Fitzroy facility is staffed by chemists who analyse samples of substances, while trained harm reduction workers deliver test results and discuss possible risks, service users’ existing health conditions and potential interactions between drugs and prescription medications. 

In addition to saving lives and reducing drug harm, the service is hoped to decrease pressure on frontline services.

Originally published as Australia's first fixed pill testing site is opening in Melbourne