Pill testing

[Black Orchid]

Yes or no?

Another group of doctors has thrown its support behind pill testing, writing to state and territory leaders claiming there is enough evidence it can help to warrant a trial.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, which represents more than 17,000 physicians and paediatricians, has sent an open letter to NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and her counterparts urging them to follow the lead of the ACT.

Starting the first line of their letter in bold font, the organisation declared: “There is sufficient evidence to support pill testing trials at festivals.”

The organisation, which represents more than 25,000 medical professionals, called for a discussion to be had.

“The RACP’s experts in addiction medicine and public health medicine believe the evidence currently available justifies the introduction of carefully designed pill testing trials in Australia,” Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones said.

“Ideally, we would all like young people and the wider public not to use drugs illicitly, however, the reality is that they do in large numbers and the moral message to abstain from taking drugs is not getting through.”

They now join the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, who are also urging governments to adopt pill testing.

Five people have died after taking drugs at music festivals in NSW alone since September.

Ms Berejiklian has consistently rejected calls to introduce pill testing, despite emotional pleas from the families of some of those who have died.

She believes there is not enough evidence to show it can save lives. But the RACP says evidence to date shows that existing policies at festivals to discourage drug taking, including heavy police presence, sniffer dogs and searches, are not effective.

“These policies are failing our communities and our young people, leading to unnecessary deaths,” Dr Lloyd-Jones said.

He wants pill testing to be trialled in purpose-designed facilities by qualified technical specialists and be accompanied by appropriate advice and information.

It should be developed in consultation with physicians, pharmacologists, toxicologists and other experts, he said.

“Pill testing is by no means a panacea; it needs to be implemented in conjunction with other evidence-based harm minimisation measures that prioritise the health and safety of festival-goers over criminal and legal measures.”

The NSW coroner is looking into the recent five music festival deaths, with a directions hearing to be held next Tuesday ahead of a likely inquest.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real- ... 7141e152a9

Sure there are risks involved with pill testing and could lead the way to litigation but weighing pill testing against open slather chemicals at festivals which is the better of two evils?

Perhaps everyone who uses the pill testing facility needs to sign a waiver?

[Redneck]

Yes or no?

Another group of doctors has thrown its support behind pill testing, writing to state and territory leaders claiming there is enough evidence it can help to warrant a trial.

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, which represents more than 17,000 physicians and paediatricians, has sent an open letter to NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and her counterparts urging them to follow the lead of the ACT.

Starting the first line of their letter in bold font, the organisation declared: “There is sufficient evidence to support pill testing trials at festivals.”

The organisation, which represents more than 25,000 medical professionals, called for a discussion to be had.

“The RACP’s experts in addiction medicine and public health medicine believe the evidence currently available justifies the introduction of carefully designed pill testing trials in Australia,” Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones said.

“Ideally, we would all like young people and the wider public not to use drugs illicitly, however, the reality is that they do in large numbers and the moral message to abstain from taking drugs is not getting through.”

They now join the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, who are also urging governments to adopt pill testing.

Five people have died after taking drugs at music festivals in NSW alone since September.

Ms Berejiklian has consistently rejected calls to introduce pill testing, despite emotional pleas from the families of some of those who have died.

She believes there is not enough evidence to show it can save lives. But the RACP says evidence to date shows that existing policies at festivals to discourage drug taking, including heavy police presence, sniffer dogs and searches, are not effective.

“These policies are failing our communities and our young people, leading to unnecessary deaths,” Dr Lloyd-Jones said.

He wants pill testing to be trialled in purpose-designed facilities by qualified technical specialists and be accompanied by appropriate advice and information.

It should be developed in consultation with physicians, pharmacologists, toxicologists and other experts, he said.

“Pill testing is by no means a panacea; it needs to be implemented in conjunction with other evidence-based harm minimisation measures that prioritise the health and safety of festival-goers over criminal and legal measures.”

The NSW coroner is looking into the recent five music festival deaths, with a directions hearing to be held next Tuesday ahead of a likely inquest.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real- ... 7141e152a9

Sure there are risks involved with pill testing and could lead the way to litigation but weighing pill testing against open slather chemicals at festivals which is the better of two evils?

Perhaps everyone who uses the pill testing facility needs to sign a waiver?

I favour having the tests available based on worlds best practice!

I think even though the pills may pass the test , the testers advise them not to take them!

But we have morons for children these days obviously!

[Gordon]

I'm more or less in favour of pill testing, but it's not straight forward and it's not a magic bullet solution.

Firstly, only a fraction of people get their pills tested, and apparently only about 15% of people who get them tested actually modify their drug taking behavour.

Another thing is the results that can be given in a tent have a very big margin of error.

I think the main benefit is in assisting people to know the content of pills can vary widely from batch to batch and not knowing what you're taking can be dangerous.

Here's some interesting info, apparently there are more deaths at music festivals than just people clubbing because of the heat, and because at music festivals people often buy drugs from randoms they don't know, as opposed to getting them from a regular dealer who will supply them with the same drugs at a known strength.

[Black Orchid]

I favour having the tests available based on worlds best practice!

I think even though the pills may pass the test , the testers advise them not to take them!

But we have morons for children these days obviously!

I am in two minds but sway more towards the testing than not even though very few, I think, would use it.

When you have a mammogram you have to sign a waiver which basically says that you understand that the test is not infallible and may not pick up cancer. Perhaps a similar thing could apply to save litigation from families whose idiot kids take chemicals from random people at festivals who have stuffed their bodies with chemical laden condoms and then go to the loo to eject them.

[Black Orchid]

I'm more or less in favour of pill testing, but it's not straight forward and it's not a magic bullet solution.

Firstly, only a fraction of people get their pills tested, and apparently only about 15% of people who get them tested actually modify their drug taking behavour.

Another thing is the results that can be given in a tent have a very big margin of error.

I think the main benefit is in assisting people to know the content of pills can vary widely from batch to batch and not knowing what you're taking can be dangerous.

Here's some interesting info, apparently there are more deaths at music festivals than just people clubbing because of the heat, and because at music festivals people often buy drugs from randoms they don't know, as opposed to getting them from a regular dealer who will supply them with the same drugs at a known strength.

I am about on a par with you.

I honestly don't get why kids would buy chemicals from some random at a festival. It makes much more sense to come prepared with drugs from a known source of either your own or of a friend.

That leaves the question as to why kids, who do not usually use drugs period, would even consider buying from some random? It's positively stupid.

[The Reboot]

Against.

It will just encourage the pill poppers to pop more pills. It is, by law, illegal to do it in the first place. Except when the individuals are good little boys and girls and get it tested?

There's no excuse. People really need to start taking responsibility for themselves. If you must get buzzed for your festival outing, find trusted sources.

[Serial Brain 9]

Against.

It will just encourage the pill poppers to pop more pills. It is, by law, illegal to do it in the first place. Except when the individuals are good little boys and girls and get it tested?

There's no excuse. People really need to start taking responsibility for themselves. If you must get buzzed for your festival outing, find trusted sources.

[Valkie]

Taking illegal drugs is still illegal, isn't it?

The cynic in me says it's all about money.

Speed enforcement is the perfect revenue tool.
No real intelligence required by the enforcers ( he went 7 klm/ he over the speed limit.....$ka-ching)

In fact you don't even need enforcers, just a camera mounted on a stick.
$ka-ching, you can even vary speed limits all the time, just to keep people on their toes.

And most drivers need their licences, after all tgere is no functional public transport system in Australia.
So they have to pay up or go broke.

But drugs,
Usually used by people without money and who just don't give a damn.
No money in that for the grubberment.

Even if they manage to get a few who have money, it's only a drop in the bucket compared to hundreds of millions for a simple camera set up on a down hill run.

Drugs are illegal because they are dangerous.
They kill just as easily as a speeding car.
But there just ain't enough revenue in the enforcement of drugs, so the grubberment just let it slide.

Even if caught
They rarely spend any time in gaol.
Hell, most solicitors and judges take drugs, so it's in Their interest to back off a bit.

Punish drug takers
Punish drug pushers
Punish them with the same ferocity that they punish speeding drivers.

[sprintcyclist]

It could well save lives.