When will we see pill testing?
Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — My question is to the Minister for Police. In September of this year respected drug law reform academic Associate Professor David Caldicott was invited to address the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency. He was to brief them on the science of pill testing. It seems that, however, on direct instruction from the Victorian police commissioner’s office, our state’s officers were specifically told not to attend. With the tragic death of Victorian footballer Riki Stephens and the hospitalisation of 16 young people recently on the Gold Coast from a bad batch of an MDMA variant, you would think that the police and the government would be looking at all options they can to ensure we keep young people safe.
I have recently had a series of correspondence with both professionals in the area and members of my electorate asking when the government is going consider a pilot program for substance testing regimes at events to ensure that these tragedies stop. My question is: why is the government failing our community and when will they introduce the life-saving proposal of pill testing?
ANSWER:
The Victorian Government provides more than $17 million per year to support a number of evidence-based harm reduction activities that are designed to reduce the harm to people who currently use alcohol and other drugs.
As part of this, the Victorian Government provides funding to Harm Reduction Victoria for the Dancewize program, which involves peer educators attending dance parties, festivals and nightclubs.
The Victorian Government is investing $192.5 million in drug services to reduce the harm associated with alcohol and other drug use, including expanded access to treatment for people with issues relating to alcohol and other drug use. This includes allocations for enhanced mental health, drug and alcohol treatment facilities and services under the Victorian Government’s $57.6 million investment in Stage 2 of the Ice Action Plan.
In addition, as part of the Stage 2 package under the Ice Action Plan, the Victorian Government is investing $30.2 million for the expansion of the Drug Court of Victoria. Drug courts provide an intensive therapeutic sentencing option for people who have drug or alcohol dependencies, often with associated mental health and other complex needs, and who commit serious drug related criminal offences.
These initiatives build on the Government’s initial $45.5 million investment in the Ice Action Plan, launched in 2015.
In terms of legislative requirements as they stand in Victoria, it is unlawful to use, possess, cultivate or traffic illicit drugs in any form, and therefore those handling illicit substances as part of any pill-testing service would be liable to prosecution under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981. Police members have an obligation to investigate offences that may have been committed under that Act, and any alleged offences would be assessed on a case by case basis, in accordance with usual processes.
The Government does not have plans to begin drug testing at public venues. There is currently limited data on the effectiveness of pill testing in Australia. Whilst testing may be able to indicate the possible presence of a class of drug, it may be unable to provide clear identification of a particular drug, or information on drug purity, toxicity, or other components present in the sample.
A drug related overdose can occur for any number of reasons including the size, weight and general health of a person, as well as whether the person is used to taking a particular drug or if they have taken other drugs at the same time. Pill testing kits are not a guarantee against overdose.
The Victorian Government is firmly committed to tackling the harm caused by illicit drugs and will continue to work collaboratively with experts, the health sector, police, courts and communities to support families, provide treatment for drug users and close down drug manufacturers.