The state's upper house will debate pill testing in August including calling on the government to explore how a trial could occur in Tasmania during the 2019-20 summer festival season.
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Murchison independent MLC Ruth Forrest will move the motion, aimed at minimising the harms associated with drug use at Tasmanian festivals and events.
It includes acknowledging pill testing as a health-related matter, and notes the government's continued resistance to reviewing evidence, despite strong community support for a Tasmanian trial.
It comes after the Hobart City Council voted to provide in-principle support for pill testing at major events and festivals in the municipality, with Launceston Councillor Andrea Dawkins expected to move a similar motion before the end of the year.
Tasmania's Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council chief executive Alison Lai said the more voices calling for a pill testing trial, the better.
"The decision will ultimately still sit with the state government. But large councils particularly coming out in support of services and initiatives like pill testing, it's really significant," she said.
"It just adds to the community voice that helps to inform government about what to do when these decisions come up.
"So it's not at all a useless or fruitless exercise, for the council to be considering where they stand on something as high profile as pill testing."
Last week Premier Will Hodgman said the government was open to receiving advice on pill testing, but maintained there was no safe use of illicit drugs.
Commissioner Darren Hine said Tasmania Police did not support the testing of illegal drugs, but would be happy to discuss a pill testing trial with festival organisers.
On Saturday, Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the government recognised there was a range of views on the issue.
"As Health Minister, I will take advice on a range of things. I will always listen to experts," she said.
"When we are looking at pill testing, the government does not support pill testing. We believe it sends risky and mixed messages to young Tasmanians."
It comes in the midst of a coronial inquest into six drug-related deaths at festivals in New South Wales.
Ms Lai said it was only a matter of time before Tasmania experienced a drug-related death of its own.
"That is not just my opinion. That's been informed by the people I have spoken to, who go to the festivals and provide volunteer first aid support," she said.
"Particularly at the past Falls Festival, where I know there were some very close calls.
"It would just be a real shame given the experience NSW is going through, where you have to reach a critical mass of fatalities before society says we should and we can be doing this differently."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
