Drug and health services unite to deliver Victoria’s landmark pill testing trial

The service will begin at Beyond the Valley Festival on 28 December 2024 and will attend up to 10 music festivals during its 18-month implementation trial.

The pill testing – also known as drug checking – trial is a sensible measure adopted by the Victorian government to keep the 1 in 3 young people who try illicit drugs* safer and more informed. 

A fixed site drug checking service will open in mid-2025 at a inner Melbourne location near nightlife and transport, accessible to the 1 in 6 Victorians, of all ages and backgrounds, who use illicit drugs*.

The service will allow Victorians to learn the makeup of pills, capsules, powders, crystals, or liquids, identifying potentially harmful substances including synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes. 

Information provided by the drug checking service will be delivered by health professionals and trained peer workers, who can provide users with confidential support, education and referrals.

The $4 million dollar implementation trial will be used to identify what model works best for Victorians.

The decision to trial drug checking in Victoria is supported by the Australian Medical Association and follows calls from 78 leading health and alcohol and other drug organisations last year urging the government to follow the recommendations from the Victorian Coroners Court after a series of overdoses.

The passing of the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment (Pill Testing) Bill 2024, also makes Victoria the first jurisdiction in Australia to have dedicated legislation to support pill testing. 

Quotes attributable to Andrew Bruun, Youth Support + Advocacy Service’s (YSAS) CEO

“Through this drug checking trial, the Victorian government has prioritised the health and well-being of the many members of our community who  at some point in their lives will use drugs”.

“As a parent and a health professional, I want Victorian young people to be able to make responsible decisions in the interests of their own safety and well-being. Drug checking is one way of making this possible in an unregulated and increasingly volatile drug market”.

“We commend the Government for this landmark legislation and are proud to be partnering with Harm Reduction Victoria, The Loop, Melbourne Health and Youth Projects to give Victorians access to this critical, long-awaited service”.

Quotes attributable to Sione Crawford, Harm Reduction Victoria’s CEO

“This is an exciting moment for all Victorians. This drug checking service will benefit us all, empowering people who use drugs with information to reduce risks and supporting more open conversations about the realities of drug use in Victoria. 

Quotes attributable to Cameron Francis, The Loop’s CEO

“We know that when we give people accurate information, they make better choices. Pill testing has been proven to change behaviour and keep the community safe.”