ANMF joins calls for pill testing

As we head into the Australia day long weekend, the AMNF has followed the lead of the AMA and many prominent politicians and clinical experts to call for pill testing at Australian music festivals.

Federal secretary Annie Butler said: “Supported by a significant volume of international evidence, Australian experts, nurses, doctors and others working in drug and alcohol services are increasing their calls for pill-testing trials.

“The evidence shows that pill-testing is effective. Not only does it directly reduce harm from drug taking by preventing overdoses and unnecessary deaths, it can also lead to behaviour change amongst young people."

In a week where NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann admitted to talking MDMA throughout her 20s, 30s and 40s, and prominent parents of overdose victims have come out against the idea, NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has stood firm on her stance not to allow the practice.

Along with the ANMF, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australasian College of Physicians, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Independent member for Wentworth Dr Kerryn Phelps and Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale have all called for a harm minimisation approach to combat what they see as the failed war on drugs.

“Policing and law enforcement strategies, while necessary at times, are simply not effective in preventing harm," Butler said.

“Countries in Europe have been pill-testing since the 1990s; it’s time Australia’s political leaders took notice and took action before more young lives are lost."

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