The NSW Government has announced it will trial pill testing at some music festivals in 2025.
Attendees will be able to have samples of their drugs analysed for free and anonymously.
The initiative was recommended at the state’s Drug Summit, held earlier this year.
Premier Chris Minns said the first-of-its-kind trial in NSW was intended to “reduce harm and save lives.”
Pill testing
Under the year-long trial, attendees at certain music festivals will have access to anonymous drug-checking services to find out what’s in their drugs and how powerful they are.
Staff will be able to give attendees harm minimisation advice.
The trial will be free of charge, and open to people testing drugs they intend to use themselves, not distribute to others.
The Government is working with the festival industry to decide which events will host the trial.
Drug Summit
The trial was introduced following advice from health experts at NSW’s Drug Summit.
The conference was held across regional and metropolitan areas, with discussions held in November and earlier this month. It was intended to address key issues faced by people affected by drugs and alcohol.
The Summit’s co-chairs recommended a pill testing trial as an interim measure. The final report is due next year.
The State Government said the trial will inform the state’s future approach to drug harm minimisation.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the Government will “listen to the experts and the evidence”.
Premier Chris Minns emphasised that illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW, warning that “if you commit a crime, you may be charged and prosecuted”.
Oppositions
Last week, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Coalition Opposition had “no plans” to support pill testing.
When the Coalition was in Government, it repeatedly rejected recommendations from experts including the state Coroner to introduce pill testing in the state.
Following the death of a 26-year-old man at a NSW music festival in early 2023, then-Premier Dominic Perrottet said his message to young people was: “Don’t do drugs”.
Other states
Last month, the Victorian Government passed legislation allowing drug-checking trials to take place at summer music festivals.
Beyond the Valley, a four-day camping festival held over the New Year period, will be the first event to trial the new service.
Queensland established its first fixed pill-testing centre in Brisbane earlier this year. The service was expanded to include drug-checking for the recent Schoolies celebrations.
