A pill testing trial conducted at a major music festival in Canberra has been given the tick of approval by a team of independent researchers.
The ACT Pill Testing Trial 2019: Program Evaluation, conducted by researchers from Australian National University (ANU), reviewed .
Researchers said the trial was effective and it showed "a potential way forward for more services of this type" across Australia.
“This report clearly shows pill testing is viable, and under the right circumstances, provides effective, relevant and good health information to people who plan to use illicit drugs,” review leader Anna Olsen said.
The trial, which tested 170 substances, revealed seven pills people thought was pure MDMA contained n-ethylpentylone, a stimulant considered by some health authorities to be "dangerous" and which has been linked to previous festival drug deaths.
Pill testing facilities at the Groovin the Moo 2019 festival at EPIC Showground on April 27, 2019 in Canberra Source: Getty
Every person told their pills contained n-ethylpentylone binned them.
When a patron was told that their drug was not what they expected it to be, they were also less likely to take that drug.
Those findings alone, Dr Olsen said, showed the trial had been successful.
“From just one visit to a harm reduction service, young people’s attitudes and behaviours changed in a way that is likely to reduce harm,” she said.
“The reality is that young people are taking these drugs even though they’re illegal and even though public health information advises against it.
“These drug-testing services don’t endorse drug use, but they provide drug and health education to people who can access them.”
State Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith hailed the outcome of the review.
“We now have an independent evaluation undertaken by experts from the ANU that clearly shows pill testing is an effective health intervention at the point when someone is making the decision to take a pill,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
The ACT is the only state or territory in Australia to allow pill-testing.
But Ms Stephen-Smith insists the government does not condone the use of illicit drugs.
“We know the safest option remains not to take drugs and this will always be our advice to the community,” she said.
“However, we also believe governments have a responsibility to not only try and prevent drug use but also to support initiatives that reduce the harms associated with drug use.”
