Hardmission Festival overdose incidents highlight urgent need for drug checking in Victoria
Following the 8 drug-induced overdose critical incidents at Hardmission Festival in Melbourne on January 6, it’s clear that current punitive drug policy and policing practice has failed to keep young people who are using drugs safe from harm.
YSAS extends its condolences to those affected, their loved ones, first responders and the broader community affected. YSAS also acknowledges the lived expertise of peer workers involved in Harm Reduction Victoria’s DanceWise program who delivered peer-based alcohol and other drugs care and support services at the event.
YSAS is relieved that there have been no fatalities from the event. The high number of overdoses however is a stark reminder of Victoria’s urgent need for a more proactive, heath-based responses to recreational drug use like drug checking services.
57% of Australians support drug checking1. However, the ACT is currently the only jurisdiction with a fully operational drug checking service, with Queensland to follow in 2024. Drug checking is not available in Victoria.
In October last year, YSAS joined 77 organisations calling on the State Government to establish a drug checking service in Victoria in line with recommendations from the Coroners Court of Victoria.
Devastating & preventable. First, the Coroners Court & now @AmbulanceVic are calling for life-saving drug testing services. Vic needs to get on the front foot with #pilltesting or we will continue to see young people's lives at risk.https://t.co/rswap5riC4 pic.twitter.com/NAYP6JibJr
— Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) (@YSASVic) January 8, 2024
YSAS General Manager Advocacy & Communications David Jeffery said that drug checking is a critical health intervention that provides young people with the information they need to make an informed and potentially life-saving decision on an illicit substance before taking it.
“Young people are always going to take risks – effective harm reduction acknowledges this, and takes the approach of identifying these risks early and in the moment, providing reliable information and education to make healthier choices, and meeting young people where they’re at whether that’s at a treatment facility or a music festival.”
“It’s unrealistic to focus on an abstinence message for young people. Illicit substances are out there, and people are going to keep taking them. It’s the State’s responsibility to regulate drugs in a way that ensures safer supply, educates about potential harms and extends healthcare to everyone who needs it.”
“We’ve seen in the ACT, when people test their drugs at a checking service and are provided with all the information many choose not to proceed with taking that substance, or at the very least are more educated on the potential risks and how to reduce them,” said Jeffery.
“Every festival season we see more and more young people hospitalised. This must stop. It’s critical that we prioritise lifesaving reforms like drug checking to prevent overdose and drug-related harms.”
YSAS continues to support the Pill Testing Pilot for Drug Checking Bill which would seek to establish drug checking pilot by next summer and festival season co-sponsored by the Victorian Greens, Legalise Cannabis Party and Animal Justice Party.
Source: AIHW 2023. Harm Reduction.