The ACT government has approved free pill testing at the Spilt Milk festival in November.
The move has been foreshadowed for months and the announcement was made this morning as reported by triple j’s hack.ACT Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said the government does not condone drug use; the service will be a way of keeping young people safe. "The ACT Government has carefully assessed the proposal from STA-Safe and will allow pill testing at Spilt Milk," Minister Fitzharris said.
"... people who are considering taking drugs can be informed about what’s really in their pills and how potent they are."
"Pill testing means young people who are considering taking drugs can be informed about what’s really in their pills and how potent they are. And it creates an opportunity to remind them of the risks before they make the final decision to take a drug."Public reaction on social media and comments sections has been generally positive with people acknowledging the potential to save lives. It was largely suggested the cost of the programme to the tax payer would be offset by the public costs of hospital treatment in the case of overdoses.
Government-sanctioned and sponsored pill testing activities are not scheduled for any other festivals at this stage.
Deaths have occurred at Harbourlife in 2014, Stereosonic in 2015, Rainbow Serpent this year and other festivals in recent years – all believed to be drug consumption related.
