Pill Testing
Analysis
Analysis
Pragmatism, morality and the social science of pill testing
Critics of pill testing fear it will create a false sense of security that leads to more people taking more drugs. But the evidence says otherwise.
- by Liam Mannix
Latest
How Victoria’s pill tests will work – both in the lab and at music festivals
Legislation to allow a pill-testing trial will be introduced to Victorian parliament on Tuesday. The government wants the first mobile sites up and running for the summer festival season.
- by Liam Mannix and Rachel Eddie
The hidden costs that are killing live music festivals
Pill testing could make attendance at music festivals and events much safer – but it could dramatically increase the financial risk borne by festivals.
- by Karl Quinn
Exclusive
Drug reform
Victorian pill testing trial to go to cabinet ‘within weeks’ with premier’s support
The proposed 12-month trial would likely include mobile teams at music festivals, where patrons could have their illicit drugs tested and receive harm reduction advice.
- by Rachael Dexter
Exclusive
Drug reform
How much a pill-testing trial would cost Victoria
Following festival overdoses, left-wing crossbenchers are stepping up pressure on the state government over drug checking.
- by Rachel Eddie
Opinion
For subscribers
The reason Jacinta Allan could upend Victoria’s opposition to pill testing
This week, the premier signalled a broadening to her outlook when she hinted the state’s long-standing opposition to pill testing may finally be up for debate.
- by Annika Smethurst
Exclusive
Drug reform
‘We have this conversation every summer’: The cost of MDMA overdoses
The Parliamentary Budget Office estimates Victoria spends up to $3.9 million a year on MDMA-related overdoses in ambulances, emergency departments and coronial inquiries.
- by Rachel Eddie
Exclusive
Drug reform
Dozens of drug deaths at music festivals potentially preventable, study finds
Most of the 64 deaths that occurred at Australian music festivals between 2000 and 2019 involved very high levels of MDMA, in a finding researchers say bolsters the case for pill testing.
- by Aisha Dow
‘Send in the dogs’: Police to target music festival after mass overdose
Victoria Police will use sniffer dogs and boost their presence at a hip-hop festival this weekend, and Premier Jacinta Allan says she has no plans to trial pill testing.
- by Rachel Eddie
Partygoers put in induced comas after overdosing at Flemington music festival
Some patients have been discharged after nine partygoers were hospitalised in a critical condition after the first Hardmission Festival held in Australia on Saturday.
- by Alex Crowe
The five key issues facing the Minns government in 2024
Fights with NIMBYs over housing density, union pay demands, and the Rozelle Interchange are all waiting for Premier Chris Minns when he returns to work.
- by Michael McGowan
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/topic/pill-testing-1ml1