Students can check drugs at orientation
Students at Otago Orientation week will be able to test their drugs, in a new move aimed at reducing drug harm.
Otago University Students Association (OUSA) will offer drug testing from a car park on Albany St, in the heart of Dunedin’s student quarter from today until Saturday, as thousands of student revellers take part in Orientation 2019.
Anyone who wanted to test a substance they intended to take could do so by providing a small sample.
It was a ‘‘bold and preemptive move’’ on the part of OUSA, chief executive Debbie
Downs said.
‘‘First and foremost,
OUSA in no way condones drug use of any kind, but in the day and age we live in, we are cognisant of the need for harm prevention,’’ she said.
‘‘If we can’t stop the intent to use, step two is to educate and inform to reach the same objective.’’
Downs confirmed to The Press drug testing could be available at future events, such as the annual Hyde Street Party.
Drug Foundation director Ross Bell said Otago was the first tertiary association to offer free drug-testing, and ‘‘hopefully not the last’’.
‘‘I think the floodgates will open.’’ The reputation of Otago made it the ideal place to start drug checking, with Ross citing stories of student excess.
People aged between 18-25 had the highest rate of illicit drug use, with ‘‘not a lot of discerning about what it is they are putting in their mouths’’.
That risk factor, coupled with more potent drugs, meant drug testing was a simple solution to prevent potential health issues.
The best way to find out what was being sold in Otago was to test, Bell said.
The association’s move was welcomed by Green Party drug law reform spokeswoman Chloe Swarbrick.
‘‘This is a hugely positive step towards drug harm reduction.’’
Earlier this year Police Minister Stuart Nash said he wanted drug-testing kits at all music festivals.
However, some event organisers couldn’t publicly state drug-testing kits were available at their venues because the Misuse of Drugs Act made it illegal to knowingly permit drug use at any premises.
The death of Australian teen Alex RossKing, 19, earlier this year, prompted her family to call for drug testing.