Drug testing ismoving from a trial to a permanent fixture at music festivals across NSW
Following the NSW Minns Labor Government’s 2024 Drug Summit, a 12-month trial was introduced for pill and drug testing across selected music festivals in the state. Independent evaluations found that more than 1,800 festival-goers used the service and around 1,500 drug samples were tested, with the trial associated with fewer urgent drug-related hospital presentations and ICU admissions. Now, the NSW Government has committed $4.3 million to continue the service at up to 15 festivals each year, beginning in October 2026.
Here is everything you need to know about the program.
What does this mean?
The Minns Labor Government has announced a $4.3 million commitment to continue drug testing services at up to 15 selected music festivals each year. The permanent program will begin rolling out from October 2026, with festivals selected based on factors associated with higher levels of drug-related harm, including the type, size and location of the event.
Which festivals are participating?
Laneway Festival, Lost Paradise, Field Day, Knockout Outdoor, Strawberry Fields and Mardi Gras Fair Day have all participated in the trial, although participation in the permanent program will be determined by the NSW Government.
How does the drug testing work?
At participating music festivals, there will be a dedicated drug testing area where people can have pills, powders and other substances tested. The service will also include amnesty bins for safely disposing of drugs, as well as staff who can provide harm minimisation advice. The service is free and confidential.
When testing a drug, the sample is analysed by chemists from NSW Health Pathology to determine:
- What drug is present
- Whether there are any unexpected substances present
- The drug’s potency or strength
- Whether the substance is different from what the person thought they had purchased
It is important to note that drug checking does not mean a substance has been deemed safe. The testing stations have limitations, including the possibility that they may not detect very low concentrations of substances such as fentanyl or nitazenes. These synthetic opioids can be extremely potent, with some substances reported to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.Minister of Health Ryan Park iterates, “Let me be clear, no level of illicit drug use is safe and drug checking services are not a silver bullet.”
Possessing drugs is still illegal
The NSW Government has stressed that despite this new program, possessing illicit drugs is still illegal in NSW. However, the drug testing service provides a way for people to test samples without being prosecuted for possession while accessing the service. Under the trial, NSW Health and NSW Police came together so people could safely access the checking area. The Government specified that legal protections were strictly limited to individuals testing drugs for personal use.
For more information on NSW’s permanent drug testing program, head to the Health NSW Government website.
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