Australian state first to offer permanent pill testing

Queenslanders will soon be able to bring illicit substances to appropriately qualified chemists for testing, in an effort to reduce drug harm and change behaviour.
 
The $1 million plan will eventually deliver a state-funded fixed site and event-based pill testing services, in a move welcomed by medical groups, including the RACGP.
 
In addition to testing substances, the services will also provide interventions delivered by trained health and harm-reduction workers.
 
Queensland’s Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service, Shannon Fentiman, said the initiative is ‘all about harm minimisation’.
 
‘In 2021, there were 2231 drug-induced deaths in Australia – the equivalent of five deaths a day,’ she said.
 
‘That’s 2231 deaths too many, and we know this number will continue to grow if we don’t act now.
 
‘These services … aim to make people aware of the dangers of taking illicit substances, influence behaviour and ideally, reduce their use of substances.
 
‘I look forward to working with the successful providers who I know bring extensive experience and expertise in delivering harm-reduction services and working with people who use alcohol and other drugs.’
 
The upcoming Rabbits Eats Lettuce festival, due to be held over the Easter long weekend, will be the first event to offer pill testing.
 
Meanwhile, a partnership between the Queensland Injectors Health Network, The Loop Australia and the Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action will provide fixed site services at two locations in south-east Queensland, and at least one festival-based service in 2024.
 
Harm Reduction Australia (operating as Pill Testing Australia) has also been engaged to deliver several festival-based services across 2024 and 2025, bringing their experience of operating services at festivals and a fixed-site service in Canberra.
 
RACGP Queensland Deputy Chair Dr Aileen Traves responded to the news by encouraging other parts of the country to adopt similar initiatives, saying Queensland is leading the nation.
 
‘This is a momentous day,’ she said.
 
‘Supporting pill testing at fixed and mobile locations, including events such as music festivals, on an ongoing basis is an Australian-first.
 
‘These services constitute an intelligent harm-reduction measure proven around the world to save lives. We shouldn’t pretend that we can ever completely stamp out illicit drug use, or pretend that it doesn’t happen.
 
‘It does happen, and we should act to minimise the harm and keep people as safe as possible.’
 
Last year, the RACGP welcomed Queensland becoming Australia’s second jurisdiction after the ACT to approve pill testing, while earlier this week it strongly urged the Victorian Government to act on multiple coronial recommendations and introduce a pill testing trial.
 
Dr Hester Wilson, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Addiction Medicine, said other jurisdictions should follow Queensland’s lead.
 
‘Overdose deaths do not happen to “other people”,’ she said. ‘This could be your son or daughter, or friend, or colleague.
 
‘We have had so many experts come forward and so many coronial recommendations backing pill testing. We know what to do, it’s time to make it happen.
 
‘To all state and territory governments my question is a simple one – what are you waiting for?’
 
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addiction medicine harm minimisation pill testing