3 days Ago By 9News
Tweet Facebook Mail New South Wales will undertake a $1 million pill-testing trial at music festivals around the state next year. The trial, which is free and anonymous, will allow festival-goers to bring a small sample of drugs they intend to take to qualified health staff to test for purity, potency and adulterants. The amnesty is strictly limited to people seeking to check drugs for their own personal use and it will remain an offence to possess illicit drugs at any event where pill testing is provided.
READ MORE: Emergency flood warnings issued as parts of Queensland go under NSW will undertake a pill testing trial next year. (Martin Ollman) The government in a release confirmed the trial was about harm prevention, and that police would continue to target drug suppliers. The events and festivals that will become trial sites have not yet been revealed.
"I want to stress that this is a trial, and we be guided by the evidence we are presented," Premier Chris Minns said. READ MORE: Group of schoolies hit back at host over 'damage bill' Possession and supply of drugs will remain illegal. (Getty) "The trial has a clear purpose – to reduce harm and save lives.
" He urged parents to remind their children there was "no safe consumption" of drugs. "I also want to be clear that taking illicit drugs remains illegal," he said. "This trial does not change police powers, and if you commit a crime, you may be charged and prosecuted.
" READ MORE: What the weather on Christmas Day is forecast to be in your city Moments later, one man in this photo would kill the other View Gallery The decision comes after the government's 2024 Drug Summit ended earlier this month. Health Minister Ryan Park said the summit co-chairs had recommended interim pill testing as an option to explore. "As I've always said, there are no silver bullets here but if there are any further steps we can take to keep young people safe this festival season we'll listen to the experts and the evidence," he said.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley said drug suppliers would continue to be police targets even at festivals with pill testing. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
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