Pill testing trial expands further

Victoria’s pill testing pilot will expand further this summer, with five major music festivals to host the service.
 
It comes after last summer’s testing trial saw almost 1400 samples tested in the state, with 11% of samples returning different results to what people thought were in their drugs.
 
This resulted in 10 drug notifications being issued across five Victorian events in 2024, with two escalating to statewide advisories.
 
Now, across summer 2025–26, the latest expansion will see the free and confidential service available at Spilt Milk, Dangerous Goods 6XXL, and the Pitch Music and Arts Festival, with two further events to be announced.
 
The service is ‘strongly endorsed’ by the RACGP, with the college’s Victoria Chair, Dr Anita Muñoz, saying it is ‘another key step forward in saving lives’.
 
‘Not only are the sites free, they’re staffed by experts who can provide health information and talk to people about their substance use behaviours,’ she said.
 
‘This is another reason why mobile and fixed drug testing sites are so valuable.
 
‘They allow people to talk to healthcare professionals, and it provides a key intervention that can help them change their illicit drug use patterns.’
 
Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said ‘the results from last festival season speak for themselves – pill testing works’.
 
‘It doesn’t encourage young people to use drugs, but allows them to see what’s really in their substances and make informed health decisions,’ she said.
 
‘With a rise in dangerous synthetic opioids, this service is more important than ever – it offers a sensible health-led approach to reduce drug harms, while also delivering critical drug surveillance information.’
 
The State Government has also announced that the Victorian Pill Testing Service fixed site at Fitzroy will expand its hours of operation over summer.
 
From 1 December, the fixed site service will operate with extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays, as well as being open on additional days ahead of New Year’s Eve.
 
Opening earlier this year, the first six weeks of the fixed site’s operation saw more than 500 samples tested and harm reduction conversations conducted with nearly 300 people.
 
While 395 samples contained the expected drug, one in eight contained an unexpected psychoactive drug that, if consumed, would have unwanted effects, and in some cases caused serious harm.
 
Two drug notifications were also issued for counterfeit oxycodone pills containing nitazenes.
 
RACGP Victoria addiction medicine spokesperson Dr Eric Hadinata said the expansions come at a time when new and dangerous drugs, including nitazenes, are hitting Australia’s shores.
 
‘Every now and then I hear another world leader or politician declare yet another “war on drugs”,’ he said.
 
‘It’s vital to remember that drug overdoses don’t happen to “other people”, they happen to those dear to us. It impacts almost every family and friendship circle.
 
‘So, I ask you – how can you declare war on your own friends and family? Every life matters.’
 
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illicit drugs music festival pill testing Victorian Government