Renewed calls for pill testing to be introduced at Tasmanian music festivals as Covid restrictions ease
Concerns are mounting that young Tasmanians could overindulge in illicit drugs this summer festival season, prompting renewed calls for pill testing services to be introduced.
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THERE are renewed calls for pill testing services to be made available at Tasmanian music festivals, as concerns mount that young people could “cut sick” on party drugs this summer with the easing of further Covid restrictions.
While the upcoming festival season won’t be as packed as events in previous years, Party in the Apocalypse in Launceston and Mona Foma in both Launceston and Hobart are sure to attract plenty of revellers in late December and January.
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council of Tasmania CEO Alison Lai said she feared some people may overindulge in illicit drugs such as MDMA after potentially not having had the opportunity to attend a music festival since the beginning of the pandemic.
“We always have to (adopt) a level of caution and concern about using … (illicit drugs) in the first place,” she said.
“But then also if someone hasn’t used any kind of substance for a long time, they need to be careful.
“We don’t know what’s in these substances and these pills coming through (to Tasmania).”
Ms Lai said pill testing was a form of harm reduction and should be an option at festivals.
Tasmanian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, who has spoken at multiple music festivals about the subject of pill testing, said once people understood what was in their pills “they’re not so keen to take them”.
“Certainly with the Covid restrictions, the fact that (young people) can now dance and get some sort of semblance of getting the life of a young person back, I think they’re going to cut sick,” he said.
“I’m concerned that, unfortunately, there’ll be a lot of dodgy pills out there that could cause harm.”
Senator Whish-Wilson said the Greens had a policy to fund free pill testing facilities at music festivals and in the community.
Tasmania Police Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said there was “no safe use of any illicit drug”.
“Pill testing services indicating an illegal drug is free of certain contaminants sends a confusing and risky message, especially for young people in our community,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Higgins said police worked closely with festival organisers to allocate appropriate resources to events and ensure the safety and security of revellers.
A state government spokeswoman said pill testing was “not something that the Tasmanian government supports at this time”.
“We want festival-goers to be safe, which is why we are doing what we can to minimise the use of drugs through the right mix of justice and preventative initiatives,” the spokeswoman said.
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