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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“These preliminary insights have already highlighted that what starts as a simple drug check often evolves into deeper conversations about health and wellbeing \u2013 a crucial step in our harm reduction approach,” Minister for Mental Health Mary-Anne Thomas said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE state government has labelled the beginning of its pill testing trial a success, after preliminary data showed almost 40 per cent of festivalgoers who used the service said they would use a smaller amount of their drugs. Beyond the Valley, a music festival held annually over the New Year near Inverleigh, was the state’s […]<\/p>\n