NSW Police Commissioner Says Force 'Does Not Support Pill Testing'

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has condemned calls for pill testing in the state. 

Fuller has today released a statement via the NSW Police website, saying that "The NSW Police Force does not support pill testing".

"I’m gravely concerned about the message that pill testing sends to young people about the consumption of illegal substances," it reads.

"Pill testing provides a false confidence to an individual that the drug they want to take is safe. There is no such thing. All illegal substances carry the risk of harming, or ultimately killing, the user."

The statement continues on to reference evidence given by NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant last month, saying that "Dr Chant stated most of the harm occurring due to the consumption of illicit substances was not through contaminants" and that "most of the harm occurs from drugs people intended to purchase. Pill testing will not reduce this harm".

"These are some of the critical flaws in proposals to test pills at dance parties and music festivals, and as such, any such proposal will not be supported by me," the statement continues. Read the full statement below.

This comes just days after a New South Wales coroner has put her support behind pill testing, with deputy state coroner Harriet Grahame recommending that Government implement pill testing at music festivals across the state, as well as cease the use of sniffer dogs. Read the story here.

Statement from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller

"The NSW Police Force does not support pill testing.

I’m gravely concerned about the message that pill testing sends to young people about the consumption of illegal substances.

Pill testing provides a false confidence to an individual that the drug they want to take is safe. There is no such thing. All illegal substances carry the risk of harming, or ultimately killing, the user.

I also note the evidence provided by NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant at a budget estimates hearing on Wednesday 30 October 2019, in which Dr Chant stated most of the harm occurring due to the consumption of illicit substances was not through contaminants.

Most of the harm occurs from drugs people intended to purchase. Pill testing will not reduce this harm.

At present, the technology does not allow for adequate identification of dose levels or small traces of highly toxic substances.

The testing method, in which only a small portion of a pill is tested, is also an inaccurate reflection of the composition of the entire pill.

These are some of the critical flaws in proposals to test pills at dance parties and music festivals, and as such, any such proposal will not be supported by me.

The NSWPF remains committed to reducing the harm caused by the consumption of illegal substances through targeting supply networks and organised criminal groups.

Harm minimisation strategies including education and early intervention programs are also key in reducing drug uptake."