19th March 2024 02:35pm
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
RACHEL PAYNE — To move —
That this House notes that —
(1) Pill testing is backed by decades of research showing that it:
- Prevents people from using strong or contaminated drugs, saving lives;
- Communicates with people, often for the first time, about safer drug use, support services and reducing harm; and
- Helps to detect new and dangerous substances circulating in the illicit market.
(2) Pill testing is currently available in over 20 countries; the ACT is currently trialing a fixed-site drug checking service and Queensland is now allowing pill testing services;
(3) Despite significant public support and four coroners in six years recommending a pill testing trial in Victoria, this Government has made no progress;
(4) Earlier this month, a 23-year-old man died after a suspected drug overdose death at the Pitch Music and Arts festival in Western Victoria, and two other men were hospitalised after suffering suspected overdoses;
(5) While this Government drags their feet on pill testing, young Victorians continue to lose their lives; and
(6) Calls on the Victorian Government to commit to a pill testing trial as a matter of urgency.
[ENDS]
