Bitter pill as drug testing is banned in QLD
Pill testing has been banned in Queensland after strict new laws were passed in parliament by the state government.
Queensland has become the first Australian state to ban pill testing, with medical experts warning the move could cost lives.
The legal crackdown follows state government moves to scrap $1.5 million in public funding for pill testing services run by CheQpoint pill-testing sites — one in Brisbane, the other on the Gold Coast — forcing services to close in April.
The ban passed in state parliament late Thursday night made any pill testing operations illegal.
“The Crisafulli Government has a zero-tolerance approach to illicit drugs,” said Health Minister Tim Nicholls.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no safe way to take illegal drugs, and this government does not support publicly or privately funded pill testing.”
“Drug checking services send the wrong message to Queenslanders.”
You might like
Pill testing, also known as drug checking, is the chemical analysis of illicit or unknown substances to inform the owner of the contents of the pill.
Australia’s first pill testing trial was held in 2018 at the Groovin’ the Moo Festival in Canberra.
Some services or trials remain in place in the ACT, Victoria and NSW.
Queensland was the first state to establish a fixed pill-testing strategy by the ALP with opposition members condemning the state backflip.
“The benefits of pill testing are lifesaving,” Opposition Health spokesperson Shannon Fentiman told parliament.
“That is not me saying that as a politician; it is Queensland’s peak medical body.
Stay informed, daily
“Those opposite would not know because they refuse to listen to the experts, just as they refuse to listen to those with lived experience.”
The Australian Medical Association of Queensland opposes the ban and warned it could put lives at risk.
“We are disappointed with the government’s move to ban pill testing,” AMA Queensland President Nick Yim said.
“Pill testing provides an opportunity for individuals to have a conversation with a health professional about their drug use.
“As doctors, we are concerned we’ll see an increase in presentations to our emergency departments, particularly in the upcoming summer festival season, where we know people may use drugs.”
Cheqpoint operator Loop Australia CEO Cameron Francis said the ban was a backward step.
“The government has no plan to address our spiralling overdose crisis, which now claims more lives than the state’s road toll,” he said.
“Our service was ready to operate without government funding.
“For the government to outlaw it through legislation is a short-sighted move that will cost lives.”
