Queensland Becomes The First Aus State To Roll Out Pill Testing

Queensland is attempting to curb the effects of illicit drugs, rolling out pill-testing sites across its state. 

The service will introduce pill testing at mobile and fixed sites and was introduced following the success of trials in Canberra.

It will allow users to chemically test their drugs, alerting them to potentially dangerous substances and chemicals. 

The state's health minister, Yvette D'Ath stated that, "Pill testing is all about harm minimisation. We don’t want people ending up in our emergency departments or worse losing their life.

“It is important to note that pill-testing services do not promote that drugs are safe, however they are among a suite of options that can positively affect outcomes regarding illicit drug use.”

The Queensland Government will develop protocols around the operation of testing and would identify a provider to trial pill testing.

It is introduced would support a priority of the Government’s plan to reduce alcohol and drug related harm. 

The news follows Pill Testing Australia (PTA_ pill testing trials at Groovin The Moo Festival in Canberra of 2018 and 2019. 

The ACT then introduced a government approved fixed pill testing site in a trial last year.

Speaking to The Guardian, clinical lead and emergency medicine physician David Cladicott applauded the bravery in Queensland’s decision. 

“Any shift towards science and medicine is something to be vastly applauded and appreciated.”

He continues, “The evidence has always been there – we wouldn’t have been able to start it in the ACT without it. This is no longer an evidence or medical question. This is almost exclusively an ideological or political decision that has to be made.”

“Australia has been a bit of a standout Luddite on drugs policy and this brings Australia into line with global standards.”