Warwick, Stanthorpe residents weigh in on pill testing issue after LNP government backflip

The fiery debate over a harm-reduction strategy first trialed in our region has caused a major divide across the spectrum. HERE’S WHAT YOU SAID.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce music festival. Friday March 29, 2024. Picture, John Gass

The issue of harm reduction and pill testing has reared its head again after multiple notable residents in our region voiced their opinion.

The fallout comes after the LNP government’s backflip on supporting the practice, instead axing the policy which organisers and advocates say will save lives.

The Southern Downs region was notably the first host for a Queensland trial of pill testing at music festival Rabbits Eat Lettuce.

Joel Richters.

Councillor Joel Richters said in a statement last week he was “deeply concerned” after the government decided to pull funding to two dedicated drug testing facilities in South East Queensland.

Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival. Picture: Instagram

Mr Richter’s statement does not represent the opinion of the Southern Downs Regional Council.

“Pill testing does not condone or encourage illegal drug use; instead, it provides individuals with critical information that can save lives. The data from the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival is clear: 14 potentially lethal substances were voluntarily discarded after being tested,” Mr Richters said.

“This action alone demonstrates the power of education and informed decision-making over punitive policies.

“The argument that individuals must simply ‘accept the consequences of their actions’ reflects an outdated and dismissive attitude. Research consistently shows that harm reduction strategies, including pill testing, prevent deaths and reduce drug-related harm.”

Queensland LNP Members and candidates for the October 26, 2024 election – James Lister LNP member for Southern Downs

Southern Downs MP James Lister said his party’s decision was the correct one, stating individuals have to accept the consequences of their actions.

“That pill-testing regime undermined respect for the law, and sent a clear message that taking dangerous illegal substances is OK. It is not OK,” he said.

“At some point, individuals have to accept the consequences of their actions, and for as long as I can remember we have all been taught that recreational use of those drugs is bad, dangerous and unlawful.”

We asked Warwick residents to see what they thought on the move and if they supported pill testing continuing in our region.

“While I think pill testing might save a few lives, the real problem isn’t with a few people taking recreational drugs at music festivals. It’s the people who have been hit with the double whammy of homelessness and drug addiction who are dying in droves,” Emu Vale’s Ned Manning said.

“Pill testing something that is illegal, makes a lot of sense,” Dale Arnold wrote.

Patrick Heffernan said “It sounds like a legal way to take illegal drugs.”

Rabbits Eat Lettuce music festival. Friday March 29, 2024. Picture, John Gass

“No, don’t take drugs and you don’t need any pill testing. Spend that money (on) the homeless and families doing it tough,” Liselotte Vogt said.

Colin O’Brien said “No, I support locking up the dealers.”

Stanthorpe locals seemed to be more progressive on the matter, however.

Jason Nash, Kay Heran, Zoe Collins, Kristi-Anne Hill and Brenda Conway all said they supported pill testing to continue in the region.

However, Troy Barnett said “No way! That’s legitimising drug taking and encourages more.”

“So we condone being complicit in drug use? Because testing and telling them it’s safe is participation in the act of a crime,” Darryl Evans echoed. “No, it encourages drug abuse,” Granite Belt’s Lewis Perkins said.

With news of the festival likely staying in the region for the next decade, it appears the debate won’t progress any further any time soon.

Originally published as Warwick, Stanthorpe residents weigh in on pill testing issue after LNP government backflip