Drug testing at Canberra music festival uncovers 'deadly' samples
The pill testing trial at Canberra’s Groovin the Moo has found lethal ingredients in what were believed to be party drugs.
The STA-Safe consortium received the last-minute go-ahead to offer free pill-testing in a mobile laboratory in a festival health tent, with the support of the ACT Government and ACT Police.
In a controversial move, partygoers were able to get their drugs tested by volunteer medical staff and chemical analysts at Sunday’s event.
Nearly 130 participants took advantage of the service with the medical service testing 85 samples, according to the Ted Noffs Foundation.
Here is Australia's first official #pilltesting service in numbers:
128 participants
85 samples tested
50% was 'other' (lactose, sweetener, paint)
50% was pure MDMA
2 of the samples were deadly
So, harm reduced.
We did it.— Matt Noffs (@mattnoffs) April 29, 2018
STA-SAFE chief executive Matt Noffs said two of those 85 samples were deadly.
“50 per cent was ‘other’ (lactose, sweetener, paint),” he said.
“50 per cent was pure MDMA.”
“We’ve just taken a big step towards taking back control of the dangerous black market in drugs in order to keep our kids safe,” he said in a statement on Monday.
