Drug checking to be permanent after law passes third reading
Drug-checking services have been given the all-clear to keep testing the safety of illicit substances at festivals and other locations over summer
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Legislation confirming that such services can permanently continue, and expand, passed its third reading - replacing a temporary law that was set to expire at the end of the year. Health Minister Andrew Little said evidence showed pill-testing kept people safe, intercepting potentially dangerous substances before being consumed. The Drug Foundation, Needle Exchange and Institute of Environmental Science and Research have all been approved to carry out the testing. The government also announced a month ago it would contribute $800,000 towards national co-ordination of services, training of drug-checkers and providing information about drug harms. (See also: Drug-checking beyond festivals: Andrew Little wants support for the homeless; potential for medicinal cannabis)
