Drug testing services will return at New South Wales music festivals starting next month, with plans to expand to up to 15 events annually, following government consultations with festival organizers and harm reduction advocates. While health groups have pushed for broader community access to drug testing to reduce risks, the program will remain limited to festival settings. Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that police searches and sniffer dog operations will persist, despite concerns these measures could discourage people from seeking safer drug use options. The decision follows a review of harm reduction strategies amid ongoing debates over public health approaches to drug safety.
Use of sniffer dogs and searches will continue despite health and harm reduction groups arguing they could lead to riskier drug takingGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastDrug testing will resume at New South Wales music festivals from October, but will not be rolled out into the wider community despite calls from peak health and harm reduction groups, while the controversial use of sniffer dogs and searches will continue.On Wednesday the state government announced NSW Health will consult with the music festival industry and harm reduction organisations to roll out pill testing at up to 15 music festivals each year. Continue reading...
