Pill and drug testing site, CheQpoint opens in Burleigh Heads

The Gold Coast is now home to Queensland’s second party drug testing site in a bid to reduce drug-related deaths in the city. Find out where and why the government is funding it

Burleigh Heads is now home to Queensland’s second pill testing site in a bid to reduce drug-related deaths on the Gold Coast - but an MP says the main message is “don’t do drugs”.

Drug-checking service CheQpoint opened in Burleigh Heads on Thursday, July 4.

The project is part of a $1 million commitment by the Miles Government to fund confidential drug checking services during the next two years.

It’s arrival comes despite both Health Minister Shannon Fentiman and LNP Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek both emphasising the safest way to approach illicit drugs is not to take them at all.

The testing centre comes at a crucial time for the Gold Coast as authorities to deal with an alarming spike in overdoses.

In March, Danielle Whittaker, who had just celebrated her 40th birthday, died after a suspected overdose on a cocktail of drugs which left two friends hospitalised in serious conditions.

Danielle Whittaker had just turned 40 when a day of revelry with friends took a tragic twist on Good Friday, leaving her dead and two of her friends lying in hospital beds. Picture Facebook

A month later, a 57-year-old Gold Coast man died at Southport from a suspected Fantasy overdose.

In February, the Gold Coast Univesity Hospital reported more than 20 people aged 18 to 35 were treated for GHB overdoses within several days.

GHB acts as a sedative and can slow the body’s organs to the point patients lose consciousness.

Last year, Penington Institute released Australia’s Annual Overdose Report 2023, which highlighted the impact of drug-related deaths in the country over the past 20 years.

Gold Coast had the highest rate of deaths across the country with 167 from 2017-2021, 179 from 2012-2016 and 103 from 2007-2011.

The report also showed 296 unintentional drug-induced deaths in Queensland in 2021.

Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) CEO Geoff Davey said the Gold Coast site was important for battling the growing crisis across the city.

“People who use drugs are part of our families and members of the community,” Mr Davey said.

“We all care about our families, our significant others, and we all want the same thing, to be able to make informed decisions for our health that allows us to come home safely.”

Queensland’s first fixed-site drug checking (also known as pill testing) service, CheQpoint, in Bowen Hills. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

The Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman said while “no safe way to take illicit drugs”, she hoped the service would help people make informed decisions.

“Every year thousands die from drug-related deaths in Australia and one death is one too many,” she said.

“The Miles Government is focused on keeping Queenslanders safe and empowering them to make informed decisions about their health and safety.”

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. Picture Lachie Millard

Ms Fentiman said the first pill testing site in Brisbane’s Bowen Hills had seen “great outcomes”.

In April, the Bowen Hills site tested 52 samples with more than half - or 52 per cent - of people opting to dispose of the drugs.

All up, 74 per cent of the drugs identified were unregulated substances including MDMA, Aporazolam and LSD.

In March, in a music festival first, a pill testing tent was introduced at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce concert in the Southern Downs where two young people died in 2019.

Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek said while impartial to the Gold Coast pill-test trial until more results and an analysis, his main message was “don’t do drugs”.

“There is no safe way to do drugs,” he said.

Mr Langroek said results from the Bowen Hills facility showed how many “toxic drugs” were in the community.

He supported pill testing tents at festivals because “kids who spontaneously do drugs aren’t going to go to a standalone facility”.

“We don't want to see anyone die,” he said.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) supported Queensland Health in the pill testing program.

“Queensland Police have a role to play in making sure drug checking services are accessible for all members of the community as a health service,” a QPS spokesperson said.

“Drug checking services do not impact normal policing activity, and both can operate in parallel to keep the community safe.”

The Burleigh fixed-site service opens Thursdays, 2pm to 6pm, at shop 12/89-99 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Heads.

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