Victoria Urged to Implement Drug Checking Services to Reduce Overdose Deaths and Unravel Dangerous Substances
In a bid to combat the rising number of overdose deaths and the circulation of dangerous substances, 77 health and community organizations in Victoria are urging the government to implement drug checking services. The move comes as part of a larger push across Australian jurisdictions for the implementation of such services.
The harms associated with illegal drug use are often a result of unregulated supply. Drugs can be contaminated or substituted with unexpected substances, and their dosage and strength may vary and remain unknown. These factors contribute to an increased risk of overdoses.
The number of new psychoactive substances appearing in drug markets has steadily increased in the past 15 years. Suppliers are increasingly producing newer synthetic drugs to bypass laws that target traditional drugs like cocaine, heroin, MDMA, and methamphetamine. These synthetic drugs are often cheaper to produce and can be added to or sold as other more established drugs, leading to uncertainty for users regarding what they are consuming and the strength of the substance.
To address this issue, drug checking services are being proposed. These services, often referred to as pill testing in Australia, aim to provide information about the content and strength of drugs to users. By offering this information, they can help prevent the consumption of unexpected substances or doses that are stronger than anticipated.
Not only can drug checking services help individuals make informed decisions about drug use, but they can also serve as an early warning system to identify unusually dangerous substances in circulation. For example, the ACT drug checking service CanTEST has been publishing community alerts and monthly drug market snapshot reports to warn people about potential risks.
Critics of drug checking argue that these services may promote drug use by providing a shine of safety. However, established drug checking services emphasize that they do not endorse drug quality but rather aim to inform individuals about the unpredictable nature of drug markets.
Contrary to claims that drug checking services may increase drug use, evidence suggests otherwise. A study conducted among festival-goers in Australia found that the availability of drug checking services did not increase the intention to use ecstasy.
Drug checking services have been implemented in at least 28 countries worldwide, with New Zealand passing legislation to make them fully legal in 2021. In Australia, there have been trials of fixed-site and mobile drug checking services in Canberra, and Queensland recently approved the commencement of drug checking services. These initiatives have been recommended by government inquiries and coronial inquests, showcasing growing support for their implementation.
Implementing drug checking services in Victoria would help prevent further overdose deaths resulting from unregulated drug supplies. By providing individuals with vital information about the content and strength of drugs, these services can empower users to make safer decisions and serve as a crucial tool in identifying dangerous substances in circulation. With mounting support from various organizations and professional societies, it is hoped that the Victorian government will take action to implement these services and prioritize public health and safety.
