Hobart City Council could become the first government authority in Tasmania to endorse pill testing

A council could become the first government authority in Tasmania to endorse pill testing at major events and festivals held in its municipality. VOTE IN THE POLL

HOBART City Council could become the first government authority in Tasmania to endorse pill testing at major events and festivals held in its municipality.

The city’s community, culture and events committee took the first steps towards declaring in-principle support for drug analysis services, with the motion to be presented to the full council within a fortnight.

But any pill testing services would need State Government sanctioning to be implemented — and it has indicated its stance hasn’t changed.

“There is no safe use of any illicit drug and it’s reckless to suggest otherwise,” a State Government spokesman said.

“The idea that a testing service can indicate that an illegal drug is free of certain contaminants sends a very mixed and risky message.

“There are serious concerns over how many lives could be lost by people taking an illegal and dangerous drug under a belief that it is safe.”

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Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania CEO Alison Lai said a pill testing service would never condone drug use or tell people the drugs were safe.

“They’re not promoting the use of drugs, they’re actually there to provide an opportunity for individuals to reduce the risk of drug taking,” she said.

“To create an environment where people feel comfortable to access the service without fear of being arrested or cautioned for drug possession.

“That enables the health service to actually do its job, which is talk to those individuals, counsel them, provide advice and caution them against drug use.”

Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael, left, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Tasmania CEO Alison Lai and president of Harm Reduction Australia Gino Vumbaca. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Ms Lai said they had never been provided an opportunity to brief the previous Tasmanian health minister on the evidence, but were hopeful the new ministers for Health and Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Courtney and Jeremy Rockliff, would be open to a discussion.

The city will also look to turn up the heat on the State Government if it gains the support of the full council.

Subject to considerations of findings in a current coronial inquest into six music festival deaths in New South Wales, and if passed by elected members, the council would write to the Government to call on them to facilitate a pill testing trial in Tasmania as soon as practical.

Cr Holly Ewin — who raised the motion at committee — said pill testing was a health issue.

“It’s pretty clear from the evidence that it’s an objectively good thing to do to reduce harm in our community,” Cr Ewin said.

Events and festivals held in Hobart that could see pill testing in the future include Dark Mofo and Day on the Lawn at the Botanical Gardens.

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael has previously called on the Government and Opposition to “stop playing politics” and support pill testing at Tasmanian festivals.

Ms Lai said pill testing wouldn’t require legislative change but rather an advisory committee consisting of stakeholders and relevant government departments to set up a Memorandum of Understanding for its implementation.

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