Victorian government hails successful first pill testing event
Beyond the Valley, a music festival held annually over the New Year near Inverleigh, was the state’s first event to host a mobile drug checking site as part of an 18-month pill testing trial.
Over last week’s four-day festival, healthcare workers spoke with more than 700 people, most aged in their late teens and early 20s, and tested more than 600 samples.
MDMA, ketamine and cocaine were the most commonly tested substances, while some of the drugs presented for testing had been sold as another substance.
In a statement, the Victorian government said the service had also helped to educate festivalgoers about the ways recreational drugs can interact with pre-existing medical conditions and mental health conditions, as well as the potential risks for those taking prescription medicines.
“One example was a conversation with someone who had only recently started taking prescribed antidepressant medication and was considering taking MDMA,” the statement said.
“The health workers talked them through the potential risks and side effects if they chose to do that. The person said they would not use their drugs following this conversation.”
Now set to continue at a further nine music festivals, the pill testing trial is being delivered by not-for-profit organisation The Loop Australia, which operates similar drug checking services in Queensland.
Sarah Hiley, The Loop Australia’s drug checking director, said the response to the organisation’s first Victorian drug checking service at Beyond the Valley had exceeded expectations.
“Our expert team of chemists, healthcare workers and harm reduction specialists were able to engage with hundreds of young people in meaningful conversations about their health and safety,” she said.
For more than 70 per cent of patrons, these judgement-free conversations were the first they had with a healthcare professional about drug and alcohol safety.
“These preliminary insights have already highlighted that what starts as a simple drug check often evolves into deeper conversations about health and wellbeing – a crucial step in our harm reduction approach,” Minister for Mental Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.
Pete Sofo, director of festivals and major events at Untitled Group, which organises Beyond the Valley, said the addition of a drug checking trial had proved a valuable resource for festivalgoers.
“Untitled Group and its festivals, including Beyond the Valley, have always worked hard to prioritise the health and safety of our community of attendees,” he said.
“We are proud to have facilitated this in collaboration with the Victorian government, the Department of Health, YSAS, The Loop Australia and Harm Reduction Victoria.”