PILL testing services will be allowed, to test illicit drugs for potentially dangerous substances and chemical compounds.
The aim of the new state government exercise will be to change the behaviour of users and reduce risk of harm from drug use.
The government is developing protocols around the operation of testing, off the back of successful trials conducted at festivals and a fixed site in Canberra.
In addition to developing the protocols, we will go out to market and identify a provider to trial pill testing at fixed and mobile locations.
Drugs testing does not take away from police powers related to offences of illicit drug possession, supply and trafficking which remain the same.
Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies CEO Rebecca Lang said drug checking was a pragmatic and effective way to reduce the potential for drug-related harm.
“Drug checking services have been available in Europe for over 20 years and have contributed to significant reductions in drug related harms, particularly harms related to adulterated drug supply or high purity drugs,” Ms Lang said.
“The fixed site drug checking trial in Canberra has proven the value of this type of service in alerting the public to particularly dangerous substances in circulation, as well as connecting people who use drugs with credible harm reduction information.
“Drug checking services have been proven to engage people who use drugs who may never have spoken with a health professional about their drug use before and provide an opportunity to provide a brief intervention that can protect the health and wellbeing of people who access the service.”
Health minister Yvette D’Ath said pill testing would tell people what chemical substances were in their drugs.
“We know people make better decisions when they are equipped with unbiased information,” she said.
“Drug testers can also influence a drug taker’s behaviour, making them more likely to dispose of substances, decrease the amount they take, tell their peers and be more likely to seek help if they or others are experiencing adverse effects.
“The other benefit to pill testing is it provides critical information to law enforcement and health services about high-risk substances in the community or drug trends.”
