• NSW’s resistance to pill testing will drive dealers to sell ‘more dangerous drugs’, ACT warns

    In a letter sent to NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday, Rattenbury cited advice from prominent pill-testing advocate Alex Wodak that the ACT’s support for pill testing could encourage dealers to offload lower-quality drugs in NSW. “We also wish to bring to your attention an alarming potential unintended consequence for NSW if the ACT government continues with the successful pill-testing trial at subsequent…

  • ‘You will not be reported to the police’: state’s plan to protect revellers at festivals

    At a pill testing demonstration on Tuesday, president of Harm Reduction Australia Gino Vumbaca said he understood politicians were nervous about pill testing, but the evidence showed it reduced harm. “I understand it’s difficult for a lot of MPs, but really, we can’t continue to allow what is happening to continue,” he said. […]

  • Meet The Machine That Gives The DNA Of A Pill Right Down To The Type Of Paint

    In a crowded room in Sydney, pill testing advocates unveiled the machine used to analyse drugs and explained patiently how their process would work to stop overdoses and save lives. The group outlined how pill testing schemes, far from giving a so-called “green light” to potential drug users, could be a powerful tool in discouraging drug use, with trained health…

  • PSA supports pill testing trial

    Following several recent deaths from illicit drug use at festivals, the  Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has said that pill testing and drug checking services should be trialled in Australia. PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman says PSA believes further pill testing trials should be conducted at music festivals and other environments where illicit drug use occurs. […]

  • UOW lecturer says pill testing could reduce harm

    A University of Wollongong legal expert says the NSW government’s zero-tolerance approach to illicit drugs like MDMA at music festivals was doing more harm than good. Ben Mostyn, a lecturer in the school of law, advocated a harm minimisation approach – adding his voice to the growing number of individuals and organisations calling for pill testing. […]

  • How can we take power away from criminal gangs? Legalise drugs

    We have the opportunity to ensure reforms are implemented within a social justice model in collaboration with affected communities. At the same time, we can tackle those social and economic problems that drive people into the trade in the first place. Legally regulating drugs isn’t radical, it’s responsible. Drugs are too dangerous not to be regulated, and too profitable not to…

  • Protests & An Admission Of Drug Use From An MP – The Pill Testing Debate Rolls On

    “All the evidence shows that ‘zero tolerance’ and ‘just say no’ policies simply don’t work and that harm reduction and treatment is the best way to minimise the dangers and reduce the broader impacts on crime and health. It’s 2019. It’s time for change. The majority of Australians support decriminalisation and 82% of young Australians support pill testing.” […]

  • Increasing pressure for pill testing trial

    Port Phillip council, which includes the popular St Kilda entertainment district, is calling on the Victorian Labor government to allow and help fund drug testing at participating venues. “Two years ago the Port Phillip council said that we supported the use of a trial. Since then there’s been a bitter harvest of dead bodies around the country,” Mayor Dick Gross…

  • Support for pill testing continues to grow

    When the millions of Australians … who have used cannabis, ecstasy or cocaine over the past twelve months hear the Premier’s message that “there is no such thing as a safe illegal drug” and “just say no” they wonder what planet she is living on. Young people are not fools. They want us, as politicians, to “get real” about illegal…

  • Crossbench to use numbers to pressure Victorian Government to introduce pill testing

    Victoria’s diverse Upper House crossbench is demanding the Andrews Government undertake a trial of pill testing, and is vowing to make the issue a key matter in the Parliament. […]