Queensland’s first event-based drug checking (also known as pill testing) service successfully rolled-out over the Easter weekend at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival.
It’s the first time this type of testing was conducted in Queensland, and a national first for a multi-day music festival.
The drug checking service worked with other onsite services including the festival operations crew and the onsite medical service.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service Shannon Fentiman said, “I want to be very clear that there is no safe way to take illicit drugs, but we can take steps to reduce harm and help people make more informed choices.”
“In 2021, there were over 2200 drug-related deaths in Australia, which is 2200 too many. That is why this initiative is important.
“The drug checking service provided health advice and harm reduction information to hundreds of festival goers this weekend, meaning that those who did decide to take drugs did so in a more informed way.
“Many participants said that they would reconsider or take less of the substances they had in their possession, which is an excellent outcome.
“We are proud to support this initiative and be the first State in Australia to deliver this service at a multi-day event. I encourage other jurisdictions across the country to follow our lead to keep their communities safe.”
The event-based service at Rabbits Eat Lettuce was delivered by Pill Testing Australia, with a total of 257 festival goers visiting the drug checking tent over the four days.
The average age of patrons who visited the service at the festival were between 28-30 years old.
Initial data analysis shows that out of the 210 samples provided for testing at the festival by qualified chemists, approximately 14 samples were discarded at the pill testing service.
The most common substances presented for testing included MDMA and ketamine.
Stephanie Tzanetis, executive officer and festival service delivery manager from Pill Testing Australia said, “The success of Queensland’s first pill testing service at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce (REL) festival, would not have been possible without the leadership team of Professor Malcolm McLeod (Chemistry Lead), Dr David Caldicott (Medical Lead) and Dr Penny Hill (Data Officer).”
“This success was made possible due to the collaboration with the event’s director, operations manager, emergency service coordinator and key stakeholders, including the onsite health provider (HEST Paramedical) and the peer-based harm reduction services (Conscious Nest).
“We are grateful to supporters throughout the service planning process, including HRA, QuIHN, QuIVAA, Conscious Nest, Family Drug Support QLD, the University of QLD, Directions Health (the CanTEST Lead agency).
“Crucially, we thank the patrons who accessed the service. While there were no ‘high risk’ substances found over the weekend, there were some unexpected results and Pill Testing Australia will share information about those detections for the benefit of the community.”
