Pill-testing group says police turn a blind eye
By CARA JENKIN and JEMMA CHAPMAN
12jul05
AN organisation that tested illicit pills at a rave party does not expect to be penalised – because it believes police turn a blind eye to its operations.
However, Acting Assistant Commissioner Grant Stevens yesterday warned that police were "looking at exactly what's transpired and, where necessary, we will take action as appropriate".
John Davidson, a spokesman for activist organisation Enlighten, said police generally saw the "greater good" of the drug-testing service and looked the other way.
He said in the five years that Melbourne-based Enlighten had provided the free service at parties across Australia, it had never been warned over its practices, despite pill testing being illegal in all states and territories. He also said the group was not approached on Saturday night by the police officers patrolling the Winter Enchanted rave at Pooraka.
"We understand it is illegal. We go into it with our eyes open but we believe nothing is going to change unless we take action," he said.
"If the Government thinks putting ads on TV is taking action, then the message is not getting through to people because people are taking ecstasy more and more."
Enlighten was invited to the event by its organisers and tested 50 pills. The group also provided people with information about the negative consequences of drug abuse.
Mr Davidson said only a couple of pills contained substances other than MDMA, ecstasy's main ingredient.
Supt Stevens said police were looking at the testing that occurred on Saturday night and would take "action as appropriate" – but he refused to be drawn on whether the testers could be charged.
"Without looking at the exact details of how they managed the process of pill testing, it wouldn't be fair for me to comment," he said.
While stressing he was not advocating the use of drugs, long-time pill test campaigner Dr David Caldicott, from the Royal Adelaide Hospital, said it was pleasing to see that those whose pills contained drugs other than MDMA had discarded them.
Federal Liberal MP Christopher Pyne condemned pill testing, saying it sent the wrong message.
Source: The Advertiser