Thursday, 4 May 2023

Drug harm reduction

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:50): On Saturday my team and I had the opportunity to attend the music festival Groovin the Moo in Bendigo. For those who do not know, Groovin the Moo held two successful pill-testing trials in 2018 and 2019 in Canberra. What I learned from this event is that the festivals themselves, the medical professionals doing amazing life-saving work at these events and the attendees all want pill-testing services to be legal in Victoria. I personally spoke to over 100 attendees at the festival, a diverse group from all over Victoria, who came to enjoy the beautiful sunny day that had amazing music and just overall fun, positive vibes. I can tell you not a single person I spoke to opposed pill-testing services – not a single one. They all said the same thing: they are going to take drugs anyway, so it is better to make sure it is safe and save lives. That is the reality. Young people will take drugs – they will take drugs at these events – and we have the opportunity to ensure the safety of these young people. Evidence from pill-testing sites shows if people are aware the pill they are taking is potentially lethal, they will throw it away. But right now they have no way of knowing, and many are just willing to take the risk. If we have pill testing and it can save even one life, then it is worth it.