Police chief says pill testing a ‘distraction’ from drug culture issues
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton says pill testing is a “distraction” from the state’s troubling drug culture, which is putting young lives at risk.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton says pill testing is a “distraction” from the state’s troubling drug culture, which is putting young lives at risk.
He added police and paramedics are pushing for more powers to issue and cancel permits for large events such as music festivals.
Earlier this week Rainbow Serpent Festival organisers were warned to clean up their event or risk being shut down after four days of illicit drug dealing, overdoses and assaults.
MORE: SURGE IN ILLICIT USE OF KETAMINE
RAINBOW SERPENT ORGANISERS TOLD: CLEAN UP ACT OR FACE BAN
Mr Ashton says he is “dead against pill testing” and that greater focus should be directed toward changing drug culture issues.
It comes days after Ambulance Victoria urged the state government to consider the controversial pill testing reform following strong support by paramedics.
Mr Ashton says regulating drugs at festivals “sends to wrong message” to the public.
“Every year festivals come around and people immediately start the conversation around pill testing. It seems to me we have a broader cultural issue around the festivals themselves,” he told 3AW.
Mr Ashton said a “quick, rudimentary” pill test cannot prove whether a drug is safe.
“I am dead against pill testing because what we find is people who overdose have multi-drug use,” he said.
“We don’t know for a minute how it will interact with a person when they take the drug or if they have other drugs in their system.”
Mr Ashton says the force is working with the state government to introduce changes around safety permits for large events such as music festivals.
Both police and paramedics were assaulted by Rainbow Serpent Festival revellers, who were allowed to bring items such as knives into the grounds.
“We are talking to the government and its supportive of a permit regimen where police and ambos are involved,” he said.
“It’s something we need to look at seriously around these events.
“All the camping gear goes in there … flame, knives, bottles … that wouldn’t be allowed in the MCG.
“It’s about a crowded place approach and creating a responsible place for people to enjoy music and not deal with negative elements such as multi-drug use.”
Mr Ashton added legalising cannabis or any other illicit drug also sends a risky message.
“Drugs are bad for health, bad for society and bad for safety,” he said.
“It’s not okay to tell kids ‘don’t take illicit drugs’ then legalise some. You start a slippery slope when you start picking and choosing which drugs to legalise.”
Ten people were arrested for drug trafficking, 54 were given cautions or diversion for drug possession and 16 tested positive for drug driving at the Rainbow Serpent Festival.
There were also seven suspected overdoses and four reports of assaults, including sexual assaults.