Mobile Pill Testing Has Officially Been Legalised In Victoria
“No drug is ever truly safe, but with this new legislation, Victorians can be better informed about their drug use."
Pitch Music & Arts Festival (Supplied)
After years of discussion, debate, and trials, pill testing has officially been legalised in Victoria, much to the celebration of the wider public.
Announced today, the news means that Victoria has officially become the first state to enshrine pill testing into law thanks to The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pill Testing) Bill 2024.
While the new law does not legalise illicit drugs, it does however allow for mobile and fixed pill testing throughout the state, and means that those who use and operate such services are protected by law.
“No drug is ever truly safe, but with this new legislation, Victorians can be better informed about their drug use,” said Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt in a statement.
“We have made it clear since announcing this trial – these changes don’t make drugs legal, but by having pill testing services in place, we can help to keep more Victorians safe during busy summer festival seasons.”
“The passing of this nation-leading legislation paves the way for our implementation trial to begin – this will allow us to explore what model works best because there’s plenty of evidence that pill testing saves lives.”
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
The news comes following earlier promises by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan that pill-testing would be implemented throughout Victoria across the summer.
“We’re trialling pill testing in Victoria this summer,” she stated. “No drug will ever truly be safe. But this will mean festival-goers can get their pills checked – and make an informed decision based on the facts.”
According to the Victorian Department of Health, the pill-testing trial will officially launch at the start of summer 2024, with an expected run time of 18 months.
Victorian Greens MP Aiv Puglielli took to Instagram to comment on the news, too, thanking everyone who rallied for the cause for their support.
“The Greens have been campaigning for p!ll testing in Victoria for years, last night we finally passed p!ll testing into law,” he wrote.
“Starting this summer there will be 10 mobile testing sites at festivals across the state and a fixed testing site in Melbourne close to nightlife hot spots.”
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
More From Our Network
