Lord mayor backs a pill-testing trial but Andrews just says 'no'

Lord mayor Sally Capp has backed a controversial pill-testing trial in Melbourne despite Premier Daniel Andrews reiterating the government’s opposition to the proposal.

“I do not endorse anyone taking illicit drugs – but in the face of evidence that people are taking these drugs we simply cannot stick our heads in the sand,” Cr Capp said.

A pill-testing machine, which gives chemists a breakdown of the products in that pill.Credit: Christopher Pearce

“My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a child or loved one through drug use.”

A Melbourne City Council report says pill testing at festivals has operated in a number of European countries since the 1990s, with evidence suggesting it changes drug-taking behaviour, reduces harm including death and provides crucial information about illicit substances.

The report says two trials at the Groovin’ the Moo music festival in Canberra in 2018 and 2019 were “considered a resounding success”, with the first red-flagging two samples as being “potentially lethal”. Half of the samples had no psychoactive ingredients but contained substances such as toothpaste, glue and paint.

Cr Capp said a pill-testing trial with experts would provide evidence of whether it worked in a Melbourne context.

City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has backed a pill testing trial. Credit: Jason South

“If it saves one young life it is worth doing,” she said.

Cr Capp, Labor councillor Nick Reece and Greens councillors Rohan Leppert and Cathy Oke are among those in favour of a trial.

On Tuesday night the council voted to endorse a submission backing draft legislation being submitted to State Parliament by Greens MP Tim Read to trial a free mobile pill-testing service at festivals and a fixed-site laboratory for drug analysis.

The submission provides in-principle support for a trial and offers to deliver a pilot in the municipality.

The vote comes as Mr Andrews refused to change the government’s policy despite a proposal from the Victorian Ambulance Union to test drugs confiscated by police and alert festival-goers via social media.

"There's nothing wrong with a debate about these things, that's fine, but we've been very clear ... even so-called 'pure' versions of these drugs can kill you,” Mr Andrews said.

“We won't be sending a green light to people to use them."

The Australian Medical Association and Sydney and Hobart city councils have also supported a pill-testing trial.

In January the City of Port Phillip renewed its call for the state government to allow it to become home to Victoria's first pill-testing trial.

However the government and police remain steadfastly opposed.

“My support of a pill-testing trial is in no way a reflection on Victoria Police’s position on the matter,” Cr Capp said.

“I have the utmost respect for police and know how hard they work every day to make our city a safer place.”

Liberal councillor Philip Le Liu said he understood pill-testing trials were trying to save lives.

“But it’s a very dangerous path to go down when you are giving a stamp of approval to take drugs,” he said.

Cr Reece, who worked as a senior adviser to prime minister Julia Gillard and Victorian premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby, said a trial in Melbourne would allow the state to build an evidence base to “make policy in this challenging area”.

“What we do know is that drug policy based on old-fashioned notions of “just say no” are not working,” he said. “The experience of other cities is that pill testing can have a positive public health impact in terms of harm minimisation.”

The City of Melbourne is host to some of the state’s largest music festivals at venues such as the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.

In 2017 more than 20 people were hospitalised and 30 treated by paramedics for drug overdoses after attending Electric Parade, a dance event at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

“Overdose and drug-related harm at public events often requires ambulance attendance,” the council report says. “This can divert emergency services from where they are needed elsewhere.