Harm Reduction Australia says Tasmania could offer a pill-testing service at Falls Festival as a trial that other states could follow.
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The organisation’s president, Gino Vumbaca, said he would love to see Tasmania lead the way on the issue, which has been a hot topic nationwide in the lead-up to festival season.
However, Police Minister Rene Hidding said the state government would not support any sort of pill-testing operation, and warned that drug and alcohol testing of drivers was dramatically increased this summer.
Harm Reduction Australia planned to hand out thousands of legal pill-testing kits at this year’s music festivals in Sydney as they battled with the NSW government over a professionally managed harm reduction trial proposal.
There was no such plan from the organisation for Falls Festival at Marion Bay, and both the Tasmanian and NSW governments stood firm on their drug-testing stance this week.
“The Liberal government won’t be running a quality control program for drug pushers,” Mr Hidding said. “Illicit drugs are dangerous by their very nature and young Tasmanians should be able to enjoy these festivals without being pressured to take part in dangerous and illicit behaviour.”
Mr Vumbaca said Harm Reduction Australia wanted to set up pill-testing stations at festivals as a way of reducing the risk of harm to youths.
“There is already a cheap way of testing available, but there is a better option that is not available,” he said. “It’s not a matter of us condoning illicit drugs, but we live in the real world.”
Tasmania Police said it would be providing a high profile presence at Falls this year, with uniformed and plain-clothed officers, licensing officers, and Drug Investigation Services. “We want everyone to have an enjoyable and safe festival,” senior sergeant Troy Hodge said. “The risk of anti-social behaviour at a music festival is high, particularly when alcohol is consumed. We urge everyone to drink responsibly, don’t take drugs, and look after your mates.”