Victoria will trial pill testing of illicit drugs this summer, Premier Jacinta Allan has announced, saying it was “a common sense way to save lives”.
The premier made the announcement on Monday evening across social media – but provided no details of how the trial would work. Her office refused to provide any other information, with a press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning.
The ABC understands the trial could last up to 18 months. There is hope that the trial will allow health workers to have better interactions with users, who often conceal use to their doctors.
In her social media video, the premier said younger generations wanted facts about drugs they might be taking.
“No judgement, just facts, honest, open, health focused conversations,” Ms Allan said.
“That’s how we change young people’s behaviour and even reduce drug use.”
The trial was endorsed by cabinet on Monday.
The premier said paramedics responded to more drug overdoses at festivals in the first three months of this year than during all of 2023.
“Let’s be clear, no drug is ever truly safe, but people deserve to know if that one pill will kill,” she said.
“And if someone’s asking for that information. And we have the power to give it to them, then why on earth wouldn’t we?”
Advocates welcome ‘big step forward’
Monash University physician Paul Komesaroff says the announcement is a big step forward from the government.
“I think the Victorian government is proceeding very carefully here and it’s important that we acknowledge that it’s a big step forward,” Professor Komesaroff said.
“We’ve known for some years that pill testing is a safe and effective way of limiting the potentially dangerous effects of drugs.”
Victorian Greens drug harm reduction spokesperson Aiv Puglielli says after “years and years of pressure”, they are “absolutely stoked” at the announcement.
“The reality is that people in the community will take drugs. We know that young people are going to take drugs. Whether that’s at raves, parties or festivals. And we know that by having access to this service where they can simply be aware of the risks and dosage they’re taking, it can save their life,” Mr Puglielli said.
“It’s great to hear that pill testing is happening, now we need to make sure it’s rolled out widely and quickly by the Summer festival period in order to keep young people safe.”
Common sense way to save lives, premier says
Earlier this year the premier asked the health department for advice about holding a pill testing trial following a long campaign from health professionals, advocates and cross-party MPs, as well as from within the ALP.
The decision follows Labor’s U-turn on supporting a second safe drug injecting room in the CBD, despite expert advice backing that plan to reduce fatal heroin overdoses.
Labor is also facing accusations that it soft on crime, but Ms Allan said pill testing did not make pills legal.
“But it does keep people safe. It exists around the world and the evidence says it works. This is a simple and common sense way to save lives,” she said.
Ms Allan, who has two children, said she often thought about what would happen when they got older and went to parties and music festivals.
“I often catch myself thinking, what if the worst happens? What if one of them doesn’t make it home? And that’s every parent’s worst nightmare.”
The state opposition has previously rejected the idea of pill testing, but it does have the support of the Greens, Animal Justice Party and Legalise Cannabis Party, ensuring that any legislation needed to set up the trial should pass parliament’s upper house.
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