QLD – State first success

Apr 11, 2024

Managed by Pill Testing Australia, the event-based service at the festival drew in 257 festival-goers over the course of four days, offering crucial information about the substances they intended to consume. Pill Testing Australia medical lead David Caldicott hailed the festival a success and estimated drug samples from close to 10 percent of festival goers were tested by the service. “That’s one of the best performances from our group that we’ve been able to do,” Dr Caldicott said

Media Release – first drug checking at a multi-day festival: Pill Testing Australia at Rabbits Eat Lettuce QLD

Apr 3, 2024

“The success of QLD’s first pill testing service at the multi-day festival Rabbits Eat Lettuce (REL) would not have been possible without the leadership team”, comprising of Professor Malcolm McLeod (Chemistry Lead), Dr David Caldicott (Medical Lead) and Dr Penny Hill (Data Officer), said PTA’s Executive Officer Steph Tzanetis, who was the onsite Service Manager. This marks the fourth music festival where the PTA leadership team have delivered festival based pill testing services since the first trial in the ACT in 2018.

PTA & HRA Media Release 3 April 2024

Coroners plead for a drug testing trial

Mar 14, 2024

In January, Ms Allan said she had sought that advice after at least 10 people were taken to hospital following suspected drug use at festivals. “There are no current plans to change the policy setting on drug checking,” she said at the time. Harm Reduction Australia and Pill Testing Australia in November announced they formally offered to host a public health based pill testing trial at a festival of the government’s choice at no cost to the state.