The festival announced on Monday that it wanted to introduce pill testing at the festival by 2020, but acknowledged government support would be necessary. 

Speaking to The Examiner on the issue for the first time as the health minister, Mr Ferguson said it was reckless to suggest there was safe use of any illicit substance. 

“The idea that a testing service can indicate that an illegal drug is free of certain contaminants sends a very mixed and risky message,” he said.

“There are serious concerns over how many lives could be lost by people taking an illegal and dangerous drug under a belief that it is safe, and families who have lost loved ones are calling on governments to reject testing for this reason.”

Mr Ferguson said young Tasmanians must be aware of the serious risks involved with illicit drugs. 

“We know there have been cases where people have died after using illicit drugs that are pure, so to offer a testing service that would suggest drugs are safe just because they don’t have additives in them would be incredibly irresponsible and dangerous and offer people a false sense of security.” 

RELATED: Health professionals call for pill testing

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, who has been working with festival organisers, said his party had been campaigning for pill testing for years. 

“The reality is, people are going to keep taking drugs. Young Australians continue to lose their lives to dangerous pills, and so we need a better, safer solution to the failed tough war on drugs that the major parties continue to push,” he said. 

“Pill testing is that alternative. It’s a real-world policy and it saves lives.”

A Tasmanian Labor spokeswoman said festival goers should always come home from safe and healthy to those that love them.

“We recognise that the best approach for dealing with drug addiction and abuse is based on harm minimisation – with a balance between law enforcement and a health focused approach to drugs,” she said. 

“This must include genuine diversionary programs for drug offenders, effective public education programs and better support and treatment for people seeking help for drug dependency.”

The spokeswoman said they would continue to monitor trials and studies around the country. They will consult with police, health professionals, festival organisers, legal experts and the broader community regarding pill testing. 

A number of health organisations, including the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, have backed calls for the testing as a harm minimisation technique.

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