Page 1786 - Week 05 - Thursday, 10 May 2018
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Research) (12.27): I thank Minister Rattenbury for the opportunity to speak to this motion today. As has been outlined, the pill testing trial was conducted by the independent consortium STA-SAFE at Groovin the Moo last month. It was the first pill testing trial to be carried out in Australia and indeed in the Southern Hemisphere. What this means is that for the first time at an event such as this across the country there was an intervention service available to people that would help them make a more informed choice about their health.
It is through the leadership of the government and many other organisations that the trial was realised, and as Minister for Health and Wellbeing in the ACT I am very pleased to note that the trial at Groovin the Moo was indeed successful. As Minister Rattenbury’s motion notes, the trial was well attended, with approximately 130 patrons using the new service and around 85 tests conducted. What these results show is that there is a demand for this type of service at events such as music festivals.
Let me be clear that taking drugs is not legal and it is never safe. For the ACTÂ government, providing a supportive policy environment for the trial to occur has been about reducing harm and ensuring that people receive as much information as possible so that they can make informed choices. It has also been about providing a health intervention prior to a person taking a substance, which could be what changes their mind from taking the illicit substance and putting themselves at risk.
I am proud of the leadership demonstrated by the ACT government through the cross-directorate working group that was set up almost 12 months ago led by ACT Health. There has been significant work undertaken across government to enable the pill testing trial to occur. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the working group.
I would also like to thank the festival organisers, Cattleyard Promotions, for their cooperation and acknowledge that by allowing the trial to take place they had the best interests of their patrons at heart. I would also like to acknowledge the STA-SAFE consortium and Harm Reduction Australia for not only successfully carrying out the trial but for their continued advocacy regarding harm reduction measures, including pill testing. I would also like to thank the University of Canberra for their cooperation and interest in the trial.
In regard to the next steps for pill testing in the ACT, the government looks forward to receiving the evaluation report associated with the trial at Groovin the Moo. This evaluation will assist better understanding of how pill testing may help reduce the harms of illicit drug use at festivals and will also inform next steps and future drug policy. The government is committed to being open and transparent on the outcomes of the trial and we will release the evaluation once complete. As the first trial to be conducted in Australia, I know that other jurisdictions will be looking on with interest to see the results of the evaluation.
In regard to the calls contained in this motion, I want to emphasise that the government is committed to minimising the harms associated with recreational and illicit drug use. And, through our drug policies, we will continue to pursue measures such as pill testing that are focused on minimising and reducing harm.
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