Minns, Trial Drug Checking for Summer or More People Will Die
The Premier must step in and trial drug checking before summer if the Government wants to save lives, after news of the tragic deaths of two people in Sydney after taking what they were led to believe was cocaine, says Greens MP and drug law reform spokesperson Cate Faehrmann.
“After this shocking news, the Premier can’t in all conscience sit back for another 3 months waiting until the Government concludes its drug summit before introducing drug checking in NSW, “ said Ms Faehrmann.
”Increasingly dangerous drugs are in circulation now. Whether the Premier likes it or not, tens of thousands of people in this state will use illegal drugs in the months ahead, particularly as we come into the summer party season.
“As a result of a surge in drugs like ecstasy and cocaine being sold and consumed in Victoria that were unknowingly cut with lethal opioids, the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan acted to save lives. That state now has drug checking at community health facilities and will also trial it at a dozen music festivals over the summer.
”With the drug summit not concluding until December, my real fear is that it will be well into next year before any recommendations arising from it are implemented. Some of them may require legislative change and will have to wait until Parliament returns in February.
”With the rise of deadly opioids being found in common recreational drugs being sold as cocaine, MDMA and ketamine, it’s extremely likely that more people are going to unknowingly die in the coming weeks and months if no action is taken.
“Two young Sydneysiders may be alive today if the Premier acted upon the evidence like his Qld and Victorian counterparts. I beg him to not delay any longer,” said Cate Faehrmann.