Darwin: pill testing ‘will not occur’ at BASSINTHEGRASS, says Selena Uibo

The government has revealed where it stands on pill testing at the Territory’s premier music festival next month. Read why the move has come under fire by some advocates.

Festival goers at BASSINTHEGRASS 2022. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

Pill testing will not be available at next month’s highly anticipated BASSINTHEGRASS music festival, the Territory government has confirmed.

Ahead of one of the Top End’s biggest events of the year, Health Minister Selena Uibo told the NT News pill testing would not take place.

“The Territory Labor government prioritises patron safety at music events,” she said.

“We utilise a number of harm reduction strategies at music events, not limited to addressing illicit drug use – however, pill testing will not occur at the 2024 BASSINTHEGRASS event.”

Pill testing, otherwise known as drug checking, is the chemical analysis of illicit or unknown substances to inform the owner of its contents and has been offered at music events in the ACT since 2018 and most recently Queensland.

Asked if the Territory government would consider introducing the practice, Ms Uibo said her party would observe “emerging evidence” from interstate.

“The evidence base for pill testing is still developing,” she said.

“The NT government continues to monitor emerging evidence in relation to pill testing and other harm reduction strategies at music events.”

Health Minister Selena Uibo has confirmed pill testing will not be available at next month’s BASSINTHEGRASS.

Pill Testing Australia president Gino Vumbaca bemoaned the decision and said there was “overwhelming” evidence that pill testing protected partygoers.

“This is about a public health initiative with a very strong base and the principle is that the better informed people are, the better decisions they make,” he said.

“Imagine going to the supermarket and there were no health ratings or information available?”

Mr Vumbaca said his organisation had engaged the NT government in the past about pill testing and even offered a free trial.

“We’ll do (a trial) for free to show the Northern Territory what it looks like; you can come and have a look, see how we set up and understand how we work,” he said.

“We’re not asking for a million dollars – we’re just saying give us permission to do it.”

Mr Vumbaca said the cost to operate a pill testing facility was a “few thousand” dollars.

“It’s such a small price that it's not reasonable to base the decision on cost, so what exactly are governments basing their decision on?”

Pill testing has been conducted at music festivals in the ACT and Queensland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Vumbaca said pill testing was the last line of defence available to deter young people from potentially harming themselves.

“At music festivals the police, security and, in some cases, dogs are at the perimeter,” he said.

“So if you have drugs, you’ve gone through all of that and you’re in the festival – you’re taking the drug.

“They’ve run that gauntlet to take that drug in the festival, so what we’re saying is ‘pause, come and talk to us and maybe find out exactly what it is you’re putting in your body.’”