Further lives are at risk if the New South Wales government does not begin a drug testing trial for the summer festival season, according to a coalition of peak health bodies and the independent MP Alex Greenwich.
The group will make the case for a pill testing trial on Thursday after the deaths of two young revellers after a music festival less than a month ago and with a hot summer ahead.
Voices leading the charge include members of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the nursing union and the Health Services Union.
“As health professionals, we know that drug checking is a proven, effective step we can take to help people make informed and potentially life-saving decisions about taking drugs,” a joint statement said.
“In drug-checking services, health professionals provide expert harm reduction advice and help people manage the risks of taking drugs.”
The group pointed to the hot summer ahead and said delaying testing would put “lives at risk”.
“We know that high temperatures combined with unexpectedly high doses of MDMA is a dangerous combination that can be fatal,” the group said.
“Without drug checking, there’s no way to identify high-risk drug samples before people consume them.”
The call for an immediate drug-checking trial comes after the premier, Chris Minns, on Wednesday dismissed calls for testing this summer. “We don’t have plans to do that,” he said.
Minns argued the government was not closed to reform, saying testing would be looked at during the government’s promised but unscheduled drug summit, alongside other areas of reform, including drug driving laws.
A NSW coroner in late 2019 recommended the state introduce pill testing. Harriet Grahame found “there was significant evidence” that “intensive and punitive drug policing operations” were increasing drug-related risks and harm.
A trial has other supporters in parliament including Jeremy Buckingham from the Legalise Cannabis party and the Greens, who have repeatedly petitioned the premier for action to be taken ahead of the summit so there are local results to analyse.
Queensland announced in January it would introduce pill testing at mobile and fixed sites after the success of trials in Canberra.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ Dr Hester Wilson said people change their drug consumption plans when they are able to find out more about the ingredients in what they plan to take.
“This is evidence-based policy, and it will save lives,” she said. “When the option is available, it allows people to make informed decisions, and they will often tell their mates, who change how they use and are safer as a result. It also allows conversations about harm and links to treatment for those who need and want it.”
The chief executive of Unharm, Will Tregoning, said helping save lives “shouldn’t be illegal”.
“Chris Minns should listen to the doctors and nurses demands for action and give drug checking the go ahead,” he said. “It’s a simple, effective step he can take to keep people safe this summer.”
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, general secretary, Shaye Candish said it was time for the government to act. “As health professionals, we understand the importance of listening to evidence. Harm minimisation is the best-practice approach,” she said.
The state’s health minister, Ryan Park, will front NSW budget estimates on Thursday.
This month he said pill testing was not a “silver bullet” that would prevent deaths.
