Doctors says pill testing could make Schoolies safer

An emergency doctor who has seen the fallout out as party drugs replace alcohol for many Schoolies has thrown his support behind the introduction of pill testing, saying it could make the event safer

The cheaper option of ecstasy tablets has replaced alcohol for many Schoolies, sparking the emergency doctor at the centre of the event’s medical tent to throw his support behind the introduction of pill testing.

Dr Jeff Hooper told The Courier-Mail that the Schoolies teenagers need to be aware that the source and contents of tablets was unknown.

“There is no safe level of drug use and some schoolies can be naive about this and are experimenting. We would welcome any way we can bring in harm minimisation and pill testing could help with that,” he said.

As up to 20,000 school leavers descend on the Gold Coast this weekend, more than half will be under the age of 18.

Dr Jeff Hooper with Gold Coast University Hospital ED Nurse Manager Michelle Buckland. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I’ve been doing this for many years and have witnessed many changes in how Schoolies operate. To be fair, these days I see that young people are more socially responsible. There is less binge drinking,” Dr Hooper said.

“I remember the bad days of Schoolies when nothing was regulated. Now the government provides a lot of entertainment and most of the school leavers are just having a good time.”

Last year there were 403 presentations to the medical tent known as the Emergency Treatment Centre. Of those, 41 per cent were male and 59 per cent female, and just over half were under 18.

Sunday was the busiest night with 84 presentations, 25 mental health presentations, 99 presentations to local hospitals, and one admission to the local hospital.

As many as 20,000 school-leavers are expected to hit the Gold Coast party precinct this weekend. File picture

“The tent is successful at keeping cases out of the busy Gold Coast University Hospital – it’s one of the busiest EDs in the state,” Dr Hooper said.

In 2013 there were 699 presentations to the medical tent known as the Emergency Treatment Centre (ETC) while last year there were 403. The pandemic impacted numbers at Schoolies.

Dr Jeff Hooper said pill testing could help keep teenagers safe at Schoolies

Ten years ago 20 teenagers were admitted to hospital while last year only one was an in-patient.

“We deal with all kinds of issues including foot lacerations, ankle sprains, asthma, anxiety or exhaustion. The Schoolies are monitored for as long as it takes to send them back to the celebrations,” Dr Hooper said.

Originally published as Doctors says pill testing could make Schoolies safer