Pill testing will be introduced at Schoolies on the Gold Coast after national data revealed young women are taking drugs at the same rate as men. or signup to continue reading Queensland is one of only three jurisdictions in the nation to have legalised pill testing and its state Labor government hopes to help school leavers celebrate safely. Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said confidential and free pill testing would feature at the end-of-year event at a cost of $80,000.
"There is no safe way to take illicit drugs," she told budget estimates on Thursday. "But if people are intent on taking these substances, and we have the technology available to help them know what's in it, then why wouldn't we offer that to people?" The Schoolies service was offered after showed women aged 18 to 24 were taking illicit drugs at the same rate as young men for the first time since records began. "We want everyone attending Schoolies to be safe and enjoy the celebrations with their friends," Ms Fentiman said.
"Without these services, we're missing the opportunity to connect young people with healthcare professionals." The National Drug Strategy Household Survey also showed more than one third of young women had taken an illicit drug in the last 12 months - a 27 per cent increase over five years. Queensland's first pill testing service was rolled out at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival over the Easter weekend where 250 people had substances assessed.
Calls for standardised pill testing progra.