"despite JK Rowling's recent penchant for revisionist history"

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/victorian-governments-pill-testing-trial-expands-to-more-festivals/

Victorian Government's pill testing trial expands to more festivals

The Victorian Government has announced the next festivals and events their mobile pill testing trial will operate at.

Last year, the Victorian Government began a mobile pill-testing trial at Beyond the Valley music festival, west of Geelong.

This was the beginning of an 18-month trial before the pill testing services becomes permanent in Victoria.

Pill testing, also known as drug checking, aims to reduce harm from illicit drug use and save lives.

After a successful trial at Beyond the Valley festival from 28 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, four new locations for the trial have been announced.

Victoria’s pill testing service will operate at Hardmission at Werribee Racecourse this Saturday (8th February).

Also at Pitch Music & Arts Festival in Moyston from 7 to 11 March 2025.

Ultra at Flemington Racecourse on 12 April 2025 and The Warehouse Project at Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts on 25 April 2025.

A simple, common-sense way to save lives

“We’re doing this because all the evidence says it works.” Premier Jacinta Allan said in June.

“The evidence tells us it changes behaviour.

“I want to be really clear here – this doesn’t make drugs legal and it most certainly doesn’t make drugs safe,”

“It’s a simple, common sense way to save lives.”

The drug-checking service is free, confidential and anonymous.

During the 4-day trial at Beyond the Valley music festival, the mobile drug-checking service tested more than 600 samples.

Harm reduction workers at the service spoke to 700 festivalgoers.

For more than 70%, it was the first time they had ever had an open, judgement-free conversation with a health professional about drug and alcohol safety.

Nearly 40% of those using the service said they intended to use a smaller amount of their drugs following a conversation with a healthcare worker.

“The first festival trial at Beyond the Valley provided very encouraging data,” Associate Professor Arunogiri from Monash University said,

“Data that is consistent with research that shows drug checking often results in people discarding their drugs.

“It is fantastic to see the further expansion of the drug checking trial in Victoria.

“This evidence-based health measure will help keep more people safe and reduce illicit drug harms.

“With the increasing detection of dangerous substances, drug-checking services can be a critical part of an early warning system.

“Making these measures more widely available is absolutely vital.”

“Following a spike in drug harm last festival season, this service is more important than ever.” Victorian Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said,

“It offers a sensible health-led approach that will save the lives of young Victorian festivalgoers.

“The results from Beyond the Valley speak for themselves,

“Pill testing does not encourage people to use drugs.

“It allows people to see what’s really in their substances and make informed health decisions.”

A fixed-site service is due to open in inner Melbourne in mid-2025.

You can read more about how pill testing works here.

Picture by Dean Arcuri

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/victorias-first-pill-testing-trial-begins-at-music-festival/

Victoria's first pill testing trial begins at music festival

Victoria’s first mobile pill testing service is underway at the Beyond the Valley music festival, south of Ballarat.

The four-day festival runs until New Years Day and draws around 35,000 people to Barunah Plains at Hesse. The Victorian government picked the festival as the first of 10 pill testing trial sites statewide this summer.

At Beyond the Valley, the mobile pill testing service will operate from 1pm to 7pm each day. Punters can attend, provide some information about themselves and a small sample of a drug – including pills, capsules and powders – for testing.

When they return to receive the results, they’ll also get peer-to-peer information about safety, including advice that no illegal drug is truly safe.

If medical staff find a high-risk substance, the service will advise festivalgoers via social media and signage. The festival’s on-site medical teams will also find out about it.

A coalition led by Youth Support and Advocacy Service with The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria are operating the pill testing service at Beyond the Valley.

They and other harm reduction advocates said the pill testing trial is a big step forward in increasing safety.

“Our drug checking service at Beyond the Valley will test the make-up of most substances,” The Loop Australia’s drug checking director Sarah Hiley said.

“People will receive vital information, confidential health advice, and honest conversations to help them make safer choices.”

Spate of music festival overdoses last summer

The pill testing trial follows warnings from Victorian paramedics about a spate of drug overdoses at music festivals. The state reportedly saw more in the first three months of 2024 than in the entirety of 2023.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced the pill testing trial at 10 Victorian music festivals in June.

Acting mental health minister Mary-Anne Thomas said pill testing will help Victoria “make safer and better-informed decisions” and reduce drug harm in the state.

The state government will also establish and open a permanent pill testing site in inner Melbourne by mid-2025.

The Australian Capital Territory introduced pill testing in 2022. Queensland followed earlier this year.

The NSW Government also announced plans to begin a trial of pill testing services at music festivals in early 2025.

Experts who gathered at NSW’s drug summit this month warned potentially dangerous and unpredictable “mixed” illicit drugs were on the rise.

This year, for instance, Victorian authorities found cocaine mixed with protonitazene, an opioid 100 times more potent than heroin.

In Canberra, the ACT’s drug-checking service also found a synthetic opioid thought to be 25 times stronger than fentanyl.

‘If it’s dangerous, they chuck it out’

Addiction medicine expert Dr Hester Wilson from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said earlier this month pill testing has proven benefits.

“What we know from the literature is if somebody has a substance checked and they find out that it’s not what they thought it was, or that it’s dangerous, they chuck it out,” Dr Wilson said.

“If they find out that it’s the substance but it’s more potent, they take less.

“It’s an opportunity to give health-based information around how to look after yourself.

“[This includes advice] on how to make sure you don’t overheat, drink enough water, get enough rest, and have food.

“And not only does that change their behaviour, but it also changes the behaviour, potentially, of their mates who might all have substances from the same source.

“[It’s also] an opportunity to have a healthcare worker interaction and, if it becomes clear that there are issues for the person, to encourage them to seek help.”

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/victoria-to-bring-in-pill-testing-as-deadly-drugs-circulate/

Victoria to introduce pill testing as deadly drugs circulate

Victoria will introduce “life-saving” pill testing in time for summer festival season, as experts warn a deadly synthetic opioid is circulating in Australia.

Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed a mobile pill testing site will visit up to 10 festivals across two summers from December.

A fixed site in Melbourne’s nightlife district will open from mid-next year.

The sites will allow people to test the makeup of most pills, capsules, powders, crystals and liquids to identify deadly substances.

After an 18-month trial, the pill testing service will become permanent in Victoria.

“I want to be really clear here – this doesn’t make drugs legal and it most certainly doesn’t make drugs safe,” Jacinta Allan said.

“We’re doing this because all the evidence says it works. The evidence tells us it changes behaviour. It’s a simple, common sense way to save lives.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said synthetic drugs had caused 46 overdose deaths in 2022. In January this year, at least 10 people were hospitalised at summer festivals in Victoria.

Jacinta Allan added paramedics had attended more drug overdoses at festivals in the first three months of this year than during all of last year.

Across Australia, only the ACT and Queensland have set up pill testing services.

MPs and advocates across Australia are pleading for other state governments to follow.

I wanted to tell you here first: pill testing will be trialled in Victoria this summer. pic.twitter.com/Bbfeurp1N5

— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) June 24, 2024

Warnings as deadly nitazenes emerge in Australia

The pleas for pill testing services come as a dangerous synthetic opioid linked to spikes in overdose deaths overseas takes off in Australia.

Nitazenes are a group of synthetic opioids much stronger than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than heroin.

Experts in Europe and North America linked nitazenes to an increase in the number of overdose deaths.

More recently, Australian states have also issued drug alerts following overdoses and deaths linked to nitazenes here.

In a recent alert, NSW Health warned of the dangers of nitazenes following a spate of severe opioid overdoses in April and May.

NSW Health’s Dr Kate Conigrave said the extremely dangerous drugs can be hundreds of times more potent than heroin and can cause severe overdose or death.

“Nitazenes are extremely potent and can vary widely in their strength,” Dr Conigrave said.

“As they are illicit and unregulated, there is no way of knowing what type of nitazene is present or what dosage is being taken.

“The strength and contents can vary widely, even within the same batch. So it is extremely important that people recognise the signs of an opioid overdose.

“Opioids can cause pin-point pupils, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, slowed breathing/snoring and skin turning blue/grey, and can be life-threatening.”

Greens call for NSW government to introduce pill testing

After the Victorian announcement, the Greens in New South Wales called on Premier Chris Minns to follow Victoria’s leadand introduce pill testing too.

“No matter what you think about drugs, you can’t stop people from taking them. But you can stop people dying from them,” Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said.

“Deadly substances such as fentanyl and nitazene have been found in heroin, cocaine, ice, and other illegal drugs in the US and the UK. Those countries experienced an epidemic of overdoses as a result.

“Increasingly, illegal drugs are starting to be found cut with these substances here in Australia too. This should be ringing alarm bells at the highest levels.

“Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said she made the decision to allow drug checking services in that state to prevent ‘every parent’s worst nightmare’.

“Now Chris Minns needs to do the same before lives are unnecessarily lost in NSW.”

If you use drugs, always carry naloxone

In Australia, nitazenes have turned up in vapes and in counterfeit tablets, such as benzodiazepines, and in drugs thought to be heroin or MDMA.

Nitazenes can last longer in the body than heroin and naloxone. Higher and repeated doses of naloxone are often required as well as hospital treatment.

“It’s strongly recommended that anyone who uses illicit drugs carry naloxone,” Dr Conigrave from NSW Health said.

Naloxone is given out free at some pharmacies across Australia. It’s a life-saving measure to temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including with nitazenes.

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/cheqpoint-drug-checking-service-opens-in-queensland/

ChEQpoint: drug checking service opens in Queensland

CheQpoint, Queensland’s first fixed-site drug checking service, has opened in Queensland

The drug checking services at CheQpoint are free, voluntary, and confidential. They involve testing the substances a person intends to use and thus helping the person make an informed choice.

The drug checking service has opened at Bowen Hills and will offer services every Friday.

The CheQpoint drug checking service is a partnership between the Queensland Injectors Health Network, The Loop Australia, and the Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action.

These Queensland based providers have a long-standing history of delivering specialist alcohol and other drug treatment and harm reduction to Queenslanders, including dedicated peer supports.

They will deliver fixed-site services at two locations in southeast Queensland, alongside at least one festival-based service in 2024.

The Miles Labor Government is investing nearly $1 million to fund the delivery and evaluation of drug checking services in Queensland over the next two years.

Following the success of the event-based service at the recent Rabbits Eat Lettice festival, this fixed pill testing service option marks an important next step in the government’s strategic approach to reducing illicit drug-related harms.

Pill testing saves lives

Premier Steven Miles said he encouraged anyone thinking of taking an illicit drug to use the service.

“Pill testing saves lives – it’s as simple as that.

“We can’t live with our head in the sand. Instead, we are empowering Queenslanders to make informed choices about their health.

“Queenslanders of all ages tell me they are in support of this initiative, and we’ll pay close attention to its operation and success.

“I encourage any person thinking about taking illicit drugs to get them tested, understand the risk and make a choice.

“A single death from drug use is one too many. I’m confident this initiative will make a difference.”

Empowering safe choices

Geoff Davey, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) described CheQpoint as a significant step tp a safer community.

“I commend the Queensland Government for their commitment to evidence-based responses to drug use.

“We must be proactive to safeguard the health and well-being of our community.

“This funding is a significant step forward toward building a safer and more informed community.

“We are confident that our drug-checking service will empower individuals to make safer choices.”

Pill Testing for Fortitude Valley party precinct?

Time for new approach to failed war on drugs?

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/bath-salts-scary-finds-in-canberra-pill-testing/

'Bath salts': Scary finds in Canberra pill testing

Scientists in Canberra have discovered three new recreational drugs at Australia’s only fixed pill testing site, and have called for more testing across Australia.

The ACT’s CanTEST site has analysed more than 1,700 drug samples since opening in July 2022.

Prof Malcolm McLeod, from the Australian National University, said a client submitted a substance they thought was a derivative of the ADHD drug Ritalin, a stimulant.

But lab testing found it was a new variant of cathinone, or bath salts, a dangerous family of chemicals that in some cases have proven lethal.

“Although there are a range of cathinone variants circulating in the community, finding a new one is obviously of concern because we don’t know how it will affect people or what the health consequences are,” Prof McLeod said.

The second substance, which the client thought was a type of ketamine, was found to be a new type of benzylpiperazine stimulant, a type of MDMA substitute.

“While derivatives of these stimulants first emerged in New Zealand in the early 2000s, we actually don’t know a lot about them,” Prof McLeod said.

“As for the third one, the client reported some uncertainty about the identity of the substance.

“They thought it was a cathinone drug, a stimulant that can have similar effects to amphetamines, but wanted to have it tested to avoid any nasty surprises.

“We later identified the drug as a new phenethylamine drug known as propylphenidine.

“Phenethylamines are a category of stimulant drugs that includes amphetamine, methamphetamine and MDMA.”

Half of drugs tested ‘not what the user expected’

The scientists now have urged more pill testing across other states and territories, as well as a national network of sites.

In the first six months, CanTEST found more than half of the drugs tested at the clinic were not what the user expected.

“Drug checking services can not only change the behaviours of consumers but when done rigorously, can also identify totally novel drugs as they emerge, possibly even before they get a hold on local markets,” CanTEST’s Dr David Caldicott said.

“This is potentially of huge public health importance, not just to Canberra, but to the rest of the world.

“It’s time other states and territories follow the ACT’s lead and roll out similar services across the country.”

‘More pill testing means more lives saved’

Last year, the Queensland government followed the ACT’s lead and announced a pill-testing trial.

ACT Population Health Minister Emma Davidson said this week more pill testing sites across Australia “means more lives saved”.

“We’ve seen firsthand in Canberra that people will check their drugs when the option is available,” she said.

“Almost one in five people discard their drugs at the testing clinic when they learn what is in it.

“People take drugs and it is a health issue. Australians cannot make safer choices unless they have access to the right support and services such as pill testing.

“A national network will mean greater access for people to pill test and help minimise harm to the individual and their community.”

The federal health department said harm reduction strategies are a matter for the states and territories.

“Illicit drug use contains inherent risks and taking even a known substance can result in unintended harm,” a spokesperson told AAP.

“Drug checking may not be able to identify all components in an illicit substance and does not take into account any underlying health conditions a person may have.”

In October 2022, CanTEST in Canberra also discovered a new ketamine-like drug not seen in Australia before.

Later that year, the scientists potentially saved lives by triggering a public health alert after finding a highly dangerous opioid in pills falsely sold as oxycodone.