21 July 2022
The nation’s first fixed-site pill and drug testing clinic is opening in Canberra today (Thursday) and the SA Greens say the South Australian Government should follow the ACT’s example.
“Analysing and testing drugs on site in this way will save many lives,” said Greens SA Health Spokesperson, Robert Simms MLC.
“This kind of testing service is greatly needed in South Australia. The State Government should monitor the situation in the ACT closely and make pill testing available in our state as part of a harm minimisation approach to drugs.”
The ACT’s testing clinic is a six month pilot. Drugs are tested on site and potential drug users are provided with advice about potentially dangerous substances, providing them with the opportunity to bin them.
Consecutive surveys have revealed widespread public support for pill testing. It’s backed by a range of public health organisations including: the Public Health Association Australia, the Australian Medical Association, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia and the Royal Australian College of Physicians (read more here: https://adf.org.au/insights/pill-testing-australia/)