Page 4568 - Week 12 - Thursday, 26 October 2017
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(8) What services will be available to protect the personal safety and security of other attendees.
(9) Will the location of a pill-testing service concentrate drug-taking in the vicinity of that location; if so, what additional security services will be provided in the area.
(10) Will the availability of pill-testing services increase and intensify the availability of drugs at an event; if not, what evaluation methodology drew that conclusion; if so, what anti-drug-trafficking security arrangements will be put in place.
(11) Will the availability of pill-testing services increase the scope of the drug-trafficking market more generally in the ACT; if not, what evaluation methodology drew that conclusion; if so, what strategies does the Government have to combat a potential increase in drug-trafficking more generally in the ACT.
(12) If a person consumes tested illicit drugs, does it remain open to police to make an arrest if they observe the activity at the Spilt Milk Festival.
(13) Notwithstanding the presence of pill-testing facilities, will illicit drug trafficking remain illegal if conducted at the Spilt Milk Festival.
Ms Fitzharris: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1. The ACT Government has considered the proposal as part of a cabinet submission and has agreed to allow STA-SAFE to provide pill-testing at the Spilt Milk Festival on 25 November 2017.
2. No ACT Government funding will be provided.
3. ACT music festivals, such as Spilt Milk or Groovin’ in the Moo, currently have volunteer welfare services, First Aid (Private) and Ambulance (Govt) services available to provide assistance to people who suffer adverse effects from illicit drugs regardless of whether a drug has been tested.
4. Not applicable.
5. Pill testing will provide an opportunity to give face to face education and advice to young people about the harm and risk of consuming illicit drugs and the potential toxicity of any unknown substances.
6. Pill Testing does not provide screening for the likelihood of a person entering a psychotic state after taking stimulants.
7. Please see answer to question 6.
8. Security and law-enforcement presence are a routine part of event planning for ACT music festivals.
9. Available evidence and expert opinion does not indicate that the presence of these services increases the availability of illicit drugs. Possession and supply of illicit drugs remain illegal in the ACT.
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