Following a successful trial last year.
Groovin the Moo’s festival in Canberra will once again be offering pill testing services to punters wishing to examine their illicit drugs prior to taking them.
In a Facebook post on Monday February 18, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said last year’s successful trial was grounds to repeat it. The ABC reports that 85 substances were tested at last year’s trial and two potentially deadly substances were detected.
“Governments have a responsibility to not only try and prevent drug use but also to support initiatives that reduce the harms associated with drug use,” Barr said.
“Pill testing does not make taking illicit drugs safe and our message to the community will always be, don’t take drugs. However, pill testing provides a health intervention at the point when someone is making the decision to take a pill.”
The decision to repeat the trial follows a number of deaths at music festivals throughout the summer. Casualties from suspected drug overdoses were reported at FOMO Festival and Lost Paradise in New South Wales. The NSW state government has kept a hardline stance opposing pill testing at festivals, much to the disappointment of medical and cultural organisations.
Groovin the Moo’s Canberra festival will be held on Sunday April 28. The lineup was revealed earlier this year and will feature the likes of Angie McMahon, DMA’s, Hilltop Hoods and more.
