NEWS Pill test push for NT foiled

DESPITE a successful trial run at a Groovin The Moo festival in Canberra, NT Police say they don’t support pill testing in the NT.

Last weekend the first pill testing program was run with support from the ACT Government and police and the Safety and Testing and Advisory Service at Festivals and Events.

During the trial, there were 128 pills tested, with two being found to contain potentially deadly ingredients.

Harm Reduction Australia, the body that runs the Safety and Testing and Advisory Service at Festivals and Events, would like to see relevant legislation changed and pill testing backed by government bodies across the country.

Harm Reduction Australia president Gino Vumbaca said the successful trial in Canberra had proven the effectiveness of free pill testing.

“Where festivals occur you’re going to have a level of drug use, we don’t condone drug use but we’re trying to provide a level of care,” he said.

“We’re certainly happy to provide pill testing but it has to be under the right conditions.”

But pill testing will not be going ahead at the BAS- SINTHEGRASS festival on May 19. An NT Police spokeswoman said running a pill testing station sent the wrong message to the public.

“Pill testing sends a message of ‘tacit approval’ in relation to illicit drug use, which cannot be endorsed by Northern Territory Police,” she said.

“Testing only identifies drug type presence and other pollutants in the portion of the pill tested — it doesn’t make an illicit substance safe.”

The spokeswoman said no drug was safe regardless of whether it had been tested.

“Even if the drugs tested are ‘pure’ people may still require medical assistance after ingesting it. No drug is safe. An overdose can be fatal,” she said.

“Northern Territory Police would like to reiterate the dangers to life in taking unknown, untried, untested substances. It’s a dangerous game of Russian roulette — don’t do it.

“A safe night out doesn’t need drugs or too much alcohol to be a great night out.”

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said she had no plans to consider implementing pill testing. “We do not have current plans to introduce pill testing at festivals however police and Health are following the developments in other jurisdictions,” she said.