Call for rapid overdose testing to identify what drugs victims took

Doctors would find out what drugs people have overdosed on within two hours under a radcial plan recommended by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Doctors would be able to find out what drugs overdose victims had taken within two hours under a radical plan put forward by Victoria’s top ­forensics institute.

The rapid-response service, which would operate 24/7, could save lives.

The idea was flagged two years ago but never funded, sparking claims Victoria lags behind other states in how it treats suspected overdoses.

SIX SUSPECTED OVERDOSES AT RAINBOW SERPENT FESTIVAL

OVERDOSE DEATHS AMONG OVER 65S SOAR

It comes after seven revellers suffered suspected overdoses at the Rainbow Serpent festival near Ballarat last weekend.

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine chief toxicologist Dimitri Gerostamoulos told the Sunday Herald Sun: “Most of these (overdose cases) present on Friday, ­Saturday or Sunday so we will have to establish a laboratory that works on weekends to provide that rapid service. That has to be funded.

Police at Rainbow Serpent Festival, where seven revellers suffered suspected overdoses.

“The drugs are out there, but we just don’t really have a handle on which ones and how many are being used.”

Under the plan, doctors would send a sample from a patient who has overdosed to the institute laboratory.

Hospital laboratories ­currently don’t have capacity to conduct comprehensive and rapid toxicology analysis, ­according to the VIFM.

“It would provide the hospitals with better information about the drugs people are taking,’’ Dr Gerostamoulos said.

“They might know what class of drugs, but they might not know it is an ecstasy ­derivative or a methamphetamine derivative.

“If you know there is a batch of bad ecstasy containing a particular toxic drug that has resulted in 15 people going to hospital, then that is a message which should be given out.

Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine chief toxicologist Dimitri Gerostamoulos. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

POLICE CHIEF SAYS PILL TESTING A ‘DISTRACTION’

“That is not done routinely at the moment. There is a gap. In Western Australia and South Australia there are ­already some organisations who do that. We don’t have anything like that in Victoria.”

Dr Gerostamoulos said it was good to debate the idea of introducing pill testing at festivals, a move Ambulance ­Victoria has also encouraged. “Pill testing may be useful,” he said. “It is information which is valid for the user. Does it condone drug use? No, you are just providing information for that person who is intending to take that drug anyway. Do we want to keep them alive? Yes.”

Victoria Police is opposed to testing pills. Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said: “The more people take up ­illicit drugs, the more they are fuelling the illicit drug market and the violence and organised crime associated with it.”

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