Australia is joining the movement to test drugs on site at music festivals, concerts and events…
One in particular, Canberra’s Spilt Milk festival will be the very first in the country to provide on-site testing, a huge breakthrough in harm reduction at large-scale events.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government has put its seal of approval, after negotiating with the Safety Testing Advisory Service at Festivals and Events (STA-SAFE) group, which will provide the on-site service. Other groups including Harm Reduction Australia, the Australian Drug Observatory, Noffs Foundation, DanceWize and Students for Sensible Drug Policy will also play a huge role in making this happen. 
An ACT representative explained the initiative:
“Pill testing means young people who are considering taking drugs can be informed about what’s really in their pills and how potent they are. And it creates an opportunity to remind them of the risks before they make the final decision to take a drug.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that regardless of the outcome of each tested drug, attendees will be notified of health risks.
Alison Wonderland, Carmada, Cashmere Cat and What So Not are all set to play the music festival at the end of November.
Sources: Sydney Morning Herald, MixMag
