Australia is witnessing an increasing trend of individuals testing their illicit drugs before use, amid rising concerns over potent opioid contamination. Recent studies show that around 40% of illicit stimulant users have tested their drugs for content or purity in the past year, with about 75% having access to personal testing kits and 43% utilizing formal drug testing services.
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre warns about the dangerous mixing of cocaine and methamphetamine with powerful opioids, often without the consumer’s knowledge, heightening overdose risks particularly for those with low opioid tolerance. Associate Professor Amy Peacock, deputy director at the centre, stressed these hidden dangers to drug users.
The issue gains attention at a pivotal moment as Queensland’s LNP government recently banned pill testing services, even while NSW’s Labor government faces increased calls to reform drug policies after a crucial summit. The report’s lead author, Rachel Sutherland, underscored the public’s demand for drug checking services and comprehensive information about their substances.
The use of naloxone, a drug that can counteract overdose effects from opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, and heroin, is also growing. This life-saving medication is becoming more common among stimulant users, with a notable increase in acquisition compared to the previous year.
Australia’s political stance on pill testing is varied. The ACT has been offering official drug checking services since 2022, and Victoria has recently introduced its first standalone service in Melbourne. NSW is currently trialing festival-based pill testing. However, Queensland has prohibited pill-testing facilities after two temporary sites operated briefly in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Pill-testing services are absent in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, nearly half of Australians over 14 have used illicit drugs, with 18%, equivalent to 3.9 million people, reporting usage in the past year. This includes around 1.1 million people using pharmaceuticals non-medically, one million using cocaine, and 2.4 million using cannabis.
Despite these challenges, there is a hopeful movement toward wider adoption of drug testing and awareness efforts, aiming to mitigate harm and provide drug users with vital information. Such initiatives are poised to contribute to safer communities across Australia.