Pill Testing in Victoria, Australia.

[andyturbo]

Victoria could have pill-testing as early as next year, under new legislation set to be introduced by the Victorian Greens.
A draft of the legislation was revealed today, which sets out what the service would look like.
The Bill calls for two pill-testing services to be trialed for two years: a free mobile pill-testing facility to be used at festivals and a fixed-site lab for drug analysis.
Both sites would be reviewed after one year and have the potential for a four-year license extension.
The ACT is currently the only jurisdiction in Australia to allow pill-testing.
Drug law reform spokesperson for the Victorian Greens, Dr Tim Read, said it was time for Victoria to follow suit.
"We need to change the culture of drug use in Australia, and the first step is treating drug use as a health issue," he said.
"We must acknowledge the current approach is resulting in unintended consequences and instead choose policies that have worked elsewhere.
It's time to get over the stigma and just test the pills."
The bill has the support of several crossbenchers and will be formally introduced to Parliament before this year’s summer festival season.
The legislation would be named Daniel's Bill, after Daniel Buccianti, who died from a drug overdose at Rainbow Serpent Festival in 2012.
Daniel's mum, Adriana, has been a passionate advocate for pill-testing since her son's death and supports the Greens' bill.

How does pill-testing work?
Take a look inside Groovin the Moo's pill-testing facility.
"No parent should have to endure what I went through. But in the last 12 months, at least five other families have lost their child from drug overdoses," she said.
"When Daniel died I made a commitment that I would fight for pill-testing and for the legislation to be called 'Daniel's Bill'.
"I'm thankful that is now a reality and I plead with Daniel Andrews to support it so it becomes law."
A draft of the bill states the benefit of having two pilot services means pills can be tested throughout the year, not just during festival season.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has previously said he does not support pill-testing.
Credits

• Author Nkayla Afshariyan

 

[Sketch 8420]

We'll see I spose. Itd be great if it happened! Also save lives...

 

[Wiserthanearlier]

Ii heard an influential political advocate (cant remember name) on ABC suggesting strict guidelines around testing facilities to be introduced but not onsite at festivals but in commercial or office working environments. His point was to keep it out of festivals as that does advocate drugs entering festivals. He had a great argument, i hope this does start to progress

 

[andyturbo]

Hey guys I was actually speaking with Tim Read just this morning to get an update. Heres what he had to say:

Andrew we're going through the feedback on the bill that we've received from various organisations. I think it will be formally introduced to parliament in a month or so. That will depend on when we get a slot. But actual debate and voting on the bill is unlikely to occur until early next year - maybe February/March.

 

[scatterday]

Good to see Australia is finally catching up to the rest of the world even if it took us a good part of a decade to do or longer.

 

[GENGAR]

Good for you guys

 

[Wiserthanearlier]

Early days still in Australian law.

We have cannabis legal in one state, legislatively approved. However, federal law does trump this and media is suggesting federal law will prevail - this is very interesting to watch as well.
Especially since pill testing trial was happening in same state