NSW Government to introduce drug amnesty bins but no pill testing at music festivals

Following an inquest into several drug-related deaths at music festivals last summer, NSW Government's response to the Deputy Coroner's recommendations is to roll out drug amnesty bins.

The bins will be rolled out this summer from 28th December, allowing festivalgoers to dispose of drugs at the entrance to festivals without fear of repercussion.

The bins are considered to be a significant harm reduction measure, especially with the festival deaths last summer being put down to attendees taking too many pills in a panic when witnessing large police presences.

However, the NSW Government has chosen not to implement a number of recommendations from the Deputy Coroner including pill testing, scrapping sniffer dogs and limiting strip searches to very rare circumstances.

With NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian again refusing to consider pill testing as a means of reducing drug-related harm at music festivals, emergency consultant and pill testing advocate Dr David Caldicott said it is disappointing the Government has again ruled it out.

Dr Caldicott stated "it's far more about saving political face than it is about saving young people's lives.

"To close the door on something like that (pill testing) is to really cut off one of your arms in the effort to reduce harm at music festivals."

As reported in the ABC, “police strip searches of children at NSW music festivals has also come under the microscope this year at two separate inquiries.”

Premier Berejiklian advised that the move will ensure the safety of young people, stating "we believe amnesty bins are a good way to increase safety. So that young people, if they see police or other activity, don't panic and have the opportunity, without any questions asked, to throw those pills into the bin."

NSW Police Minister David Elliott said the drug amnesty bins would provide a chance for youth to turn a "bad decision into a good decision".

"You should be aware that every pill, every drug that you use could be a fatal dose.

The ABC also reports that the state's health and safety guidelines for music festivals have been updated, with chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant describing them as "best practice".

Dr Chant noted "We are not in a position to save all young people's lives. But those improvements will actually make music festivals safer."

ACT Government recently called for increased discussion between states about pill testing at festivals.

ACT Health Minister Rachael Stephen-Smith wants to “continue the conversation at a national level” after an independent evaluation of testing at the Canberra leg of Groovin The Moo festival hailed the harm reduction measures a success.

The Music Network reports that Amnesty Bins were first introduced in the UK in 2017. The bins were first used at The Loop festival alongside the introduction of a pill testing tent.

Image Amnesty Bin at Chester Racecourse in the United Kingdom/Shutterstock.