Uniting NSW. ACT has today welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a drug checking trial in NSW as a positive step towards saving lives and reducing harm for people who use drugs, especially for young festival-goers. 

Media reports suggest the trial will run for a full year, with drug checking rolled out at about a dozen music festivals with a history of drug overdoses. 

Uniting’s Medically Supervised Injecting Centre (MSIC) was the location of the first trial of a drug checking service in NSW, which involved registered MSIC clients this year. 

Emma Maiden, Uniting NSW.ACT’s Director of Advocacy and External Relations said, “The announcement today of a drug checking trial, following long-term advocacy by the community, Uniting NSW.ACT and members of the Fair Treatment campaign is a logical direction in harm reduction in NSW. 

“Giving people good information about the drugs they are planning to take saves lives and helps people make more informed choices. 

“If one life is saved, this trial will be worth it. 

“The trial is also a crucial tailored drug education moment. Drug testing trial participants will receive non-judgemental discussions with health professionals about their drug use, often for the first time, which then opens opportunities for improved wellbeing and health outcomes or even a pathway to drug treatment, for people who seek it.” 

MSIC’s Medical Director, Dr Marianne Jauncey, said: “Drug testing is simple, proven, and it saves lives. NSW must not delay. 

“We’re keen for drug testing at festivals to start now so festival-goers can have the information they need to be safer and reduce harm. 

“The trial will also improve our understanding of the street drug marketplace so that unexpected or highly dangerous substances may be identified earlier, ideally before people use them. 

“We’d like to see this trial expanded to fixed sites in a variety of appropriate locations, including regional NSW and where there are overdose spikes, so more people can access the benefits and make more informed decisions about substance use.”