Rainbow Serpent is two weeks away, and as punters are gathering items for doof sticks and nervously checking weather forecasts, organisers are urging the state government to end its stonewalling on pill testing.
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In a video released on Monday, organisers called on state governments across Australia to introduce pill testing.
“If we are to stop these horrific tragedies from happening, we all need to acknowledge the failure of zero-tolerance (approaches), and demand our governments consider proven, evidence-based strategies we know will reduce harm and save lives,” festival spokesperson Tim Harvey says in the video.
“Untie the hands of promoters and allow us to deliver world’s-best-practice care for our patrons.
"We promise changing your mind costs a lot less than a human life.”
The Victorian government previously stated it had “no plans” to introduce pill testing at music festivals, despite a warning texted to patrons regarding dangerous pills at the Falls Festival over New Year’s Eve.
Last week, an 19-year-old died at a music festival in New South Wales, allegedly from an overdose.
This is the fifth death at a NSW festival in six months.
Despite pushback from the state government there, NSW opposition leader Michael Daley has renewed calls for a “drug summit” if elected.
Two people have died at Rainbow Serpent since 2012, however the festival has improved its medical facilities - there’s now a medical team operating 24-hours a day during the four-day festival.
Mr Harvey said in a statement there was “global evidence” that pill testing would work to reduce harm.
“It is evident our society faces a more volatile and treacherous drug landscape than ever before,” he said.
“To our patrons who are considering using drugs at Rainbow, we ask you to reconsider.”
The festival has supported pill testing for the last two years, and the Australian Medical Association came out in support in September.
Former state member for Buninyong Geoff Howard attended the festival last year, and has been invited to attend again.
He said the approach to health and safety at the festival impressed him.
“It’s worthy of a trial, I’ve seen it working in England, it’s the same circumstances,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter how many times authorities say don’t take pills to a festival, young people will take them.”
A pill testing trial at Groovin the Moo, a festival in Canberra that will roll to Bendigo in April, was hailed as a success.
Rainbow Serpent, which offers a program of international electronic musicians, local DJs, lifestyle seminars, and art and sculpture exhibitions, begins January 25.
Tickets are sold out.
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