In Australia, there is a growing trend of individuals testing their illicit drugs before consumption, as reports highlight a troubling increase in opioid-tainted substances. Recent studies reveal that approximately two-in-five users of illicit stimulants have tested the content or purity of their drugs within the past year. Almost 75% of stimulant users or those who inject drugs have accessed personal testing kits, with 43% opting for more formal drug testing services.
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre has raised concerns over the mixing of cocaine and methamphetamine with potent opioids, often without the user’s knowledge. This unawareness poses a significant overdose risk, especially to those with low opioid tolerance, according to Associate Professor Amy Peacock, the centre’s deputy director.
The release of these findings comes at a crucial time as Queensland’s LNP government has recently banned pill testing services, even as NSW’s Labor government faces mounting pressure to reform drug policy following a pivotal summit. Rachel Sutherland, the lead author of the report, emphasized the public’s demand for drug checking services and information about their substances.
There is also a rising familiarity and application of naloxone, a life-saving drug available at numerous pharmacies that can reverse overdoses from opioids like fentanyl, morphine, and heroin. The proportion of stimulant users who have obtained this essential medication has significantly increased from the previous year.
The political landscape regarding pill testing is mixed across Australia. While the ACT has provided official checking services since 2022 and Victoria has opened its first standalone checking service in Melbourne, NSW is experimenting with festival-based pill testing. Conversely, Queensland has outlawed pill-testing facilities following the brief operation of two sites in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
No pill-testing services are currently available in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, or Western Australia. According to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey, about half of Australians over the age of 14 have used illicit drugs at some point, with 18%, approximately 3.9 million people, reporting use within the past year. This includes roughly 1.1 million individuals using pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes, one million using cocaine, and 2.4 million using cannabis.
Amid these concerning trends, there is a hopeful push toward embracing drug testing and awareness initiatives that can help reduce harm and inform drug users, ultimately working towards a safer community for all.