The state government’s fixed site pill testing service has been continuing to reduce drug harm over the summer.
Since opening in August last year, the service has tested more than 2,030 samples and spoken with more than 1100 people about harm reduction.
The free and confidential service opened for extended hours in the lead-up to Christmas and the New Year ensuring more Victorians could access the service.
During December, the service tested more than 600 substances including MDMA, ketamine and cocaine, with around 12 per cent of samples containing an unexpected psychoactive substance.
Health teams at the site have issued eight drug notifications since August, compared with an average of around four alerts per year before pill testing was introduced – helping provide early warnings about highly dangerous substances to health authorities and the community.
The state government said around one in four people who attended the fixed site said it was their first conversation with a health professional about substance use.
Acting premier Ben Carroll praised the success of the service.
“No drug is truly ever safe, but the evidence is clear – pill testing saves lives and reduces harm,” he said.
“Over summer we extended service hours so more Victorians can access the critical health advice they need.”
Victoria’s mobile pill testing service is also returning to festivals and large events over the summer period following a successful trial last season. At the recent Spilt Milk Festival, staff tested 80 samples and held 144 harm reduction conversations – with MDMA, cocaine and ketamine among the most common substances presented, according to the state government.
The mobile pill testing service will also be available at Dangerous Goods 6XXL (24 January), the Pride Street Party (8 February) and Pitch Music and Arts Festival (6-10 March).
