The ACT has launched Australia’s first fixed-site health and drug checking service and will run it in the city as a six-month pilot.
Announced by the Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith, the CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service is to provide chemical analysis of drugs and pills, as well as drop-in nurse consultations for general health, sexual health and mental health advice.
Ms Stephen-Smith said the pilot was part of Canberra’s commitment to reducing the harm caused by drugs through effective evidence-based health interventions.
“The ACT is leading the nation with our progressive approach in treating drug use as a health issue and working with trusted community partners to reduce drug-related harms,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“This Australian-first program will help people who use drugs to better understand or avoid unknown and potentially dangerous substances in illicit drugs,” she said.
“In addition to drug checking, the service will provide harm reduction information, counselling and advice to encourage choices that reduce drug use and associated harms.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the fixed-site service pilot followed two successful festival-based trials conducted by Pill Testing Australia at the Groovin’ The Moo festivals in 2018 and 2019.
She said an independent evaluation of the 2019 trial found that drug checking reduced potential drug-related harm, especially for individuals with limited drug-taking experience.
“We know the safest option is not to take drugs and this will always be our advice to the community,” the Minister said.
“However, we recognise that some people will choose to use drugs and there is a need for initiatives that reduce the harms associated with drug use.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said independent evaluations of the pilot service would be conducted by Australian National University’s Associate Professor Anna Olsen, in partnership with researchers from other universities.
She said the service, located at the City Community Health Centre at 1 Moore St, was free and confidential.
Further information on the CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service can be accessed at this PS News link.
