Drug Summit welcome but we can’t delay pill testing: Greens
News that Labor has finally announced the dates of its much-promised drug summit is welcome, however, key measures such as pill testing should not be delayed given an increase in dangerous substances being found in readily available illegal drugs, said Greens MP and drug law reform and harm reduction spokesperson Cate Faehrmann.
”With drug use on the rise and increasingly dangerous substances in circulation, this summit could not come soon enough. In fact, with the summit not concluding until December, I urge the Government not to delay crucial measures that will reduce the harm from drugs and save lives,” said Cate Faehrmann.
"Today’s announcement comes just one day after the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission released its latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report, which showed an increase in methamphetamine and cocaine use in capital cities and regional areas.
“It also comes after a spate of overdoses in NSW and Victoria after people unknowingly consumed drugs cut with dangerous synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes.
‘Nitazenes are up to 500 times stronger than heroin and lives are at risk right now. With pill testing now available in Qld, Victoria and the ACT, I urge the Minns Government to allow pill testing to be trialled in this state too before the drug summit.
“I will be putting forward my Pill Testing Trial Bill for debate in the first sitting week after the winter break and I urge all sides of politics to support it.
“I’m pleased to see that the Government has not ignored regional NSW, with two days of the four-day summit to be hosted in regional areas. I look forward to working with the experts and people with lived experience, as well as MPs from across the political divide, during this important summit,” said Ms Faehrmann.