Tasmanian GPs are urging the state government to approve drug testing services ahead of summer’s music festival season, warning that deadly synthetic opioids are putting lives at risk.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners says Pill Testing Australia has presented a ready-to-go plan, with a looming festival agreeing to host a trial.
But the government has long maintained its opposition to the measure.
RACGP Tasmania chair Dr Toby Gardner said everything was in place except political support.
“This organisation has stepped up, secured insurance and offered their lifesaving equipment and personnel for a drug testing trial,” he said.
“So, they’re ready to go and a major music festival event has agreed to host the trial.”
“Let’s seize this opportunity, lives depend on it.”
The state government has consistently rejected calls for pill testing.
Health Minister Bridget Archer said in September that illicit drugs were illegal “for a reason” and that testing could give users “a false sense of security”.
RACGP spokesperson Dr Marguerite Tracy said Victorian data showed 11% of 1,400 samples tested were not what users expected.
“They just don’t know what they’re taking,” she said.
“It’s a harrowing reality that new synthetic opioids called nitazenes, which are far stronger than fentanyl and hundreds of times more potent than heroin, are being detected across Australia, including in Tasmania.”
“Every year that goes by sees many new and dangerous drugs arrive on our shores and take lives.”
Dr Tim Jones, RACGP Tasmania deputy chair, said 65% of Victorians who used testing services had their first conversation with a health professional about drug safety.
“Without a drug testing trial, needless deaths will continue to occur,” he said.
A recent poll found almost two-thirds of Tasmanians support drug testing services.
NSW, Victoria and the ACT have all introduced testing programs, while Queensland banned the services earlier this year.
Greens MP Helen Burnet has previously called Tasmania’s inaction disappointing, saying a trial could begin “with the stroke of the minister’s pen”.
