Festival Drug Arrests as Pill Testing Trial Kicks Off
Two men face drug trafficking charges as a pill testing trial begins at a Victorian festival, with one person treated for an overdose
Barunah Plains, Geelong, Victoria, Pill Testing, Drug Overdose, MDMA, Cocaine, Ketamine
Barunah Plains: So, at this festival called Beyond the Valley, two guys got busted for drug trafficking. It’s the first festival in Victoria to try out pill testing, and one person even had to go to the hospital for an overdose.
Police say they found a 28-year-old from South Yarra with 17 MDMA pills, some cocaine, and other stuff. Another guy, 27, from Rippleside, had a bunch of cocaine and ketamine on him. They both got bail and will be in court in March.
About 35,000 people are expected to hit the festival over five days. This is part of a trial for a new drug checking service that the state government is backing. It’s supposed to run for 18 months.
At the festival, partygoers can drop off their drugs anonymously to be tested for harmful stuff. They’ll get advice on the risks before deciding whether to take anything.
Pill testing is already legal in places like Queensland and the ACT, and New South Wales is planning to start its own trial in 2025.
There was also a guy in his twenties who had to be treated for an overdose at Geelong Hospital. We don’t know if he used the pill testing service since they don’t ask for names or anything.
Victoria Police is saying they’ll be around the festival, but they won’t be at the pill testing station unless something goes wrong. It’s not illegal to have a small amount of drugs there.
They’re serious about drug trafficking, though. A police spokesperson said they won’t hesitate to arrest anyone for that, no matter where it happens.
The testing team was hoping to get around 200 samples each day. The service will be open from 1 PM to 7 PM, but only for drugs meant for personal use.
Former Premier Daniel Andrews wasn’t into the idea of pill testing, but the new Premier, Jacinta Allan, got it rolling after taking office. This came after a summer with 10 overdoses and several recommendations for pill testing since 2021.
Interestingly, paramedics in Victoria have seen more overdoses in the first three months of 2024 than all of last year, especially at festivals. The state parliament passed a law in October to fund this trial, and they’re planning to set up a permanent site in inner-Melbourne by mid-2025.