State-first fixed drug test service aims to save lives

The first independent clinic that a state can test its medicines for dangerous materials will save lives.

Victoria’s first fixed pill test site will be opened in Fitzroy, one of Melbourne’s most popular nightlife areas after a successful attempt during the summer festival.

Service will be able to test for most pills, capsules, dust, crystals and liquids, and detect highly dangerous synthetic opioids that can be mixed with other drugs such as fentanyl and nitase.

The site will start until August and will serve by Victoria on Thursday -Saturday, Youth Support and Defending Service, Loop Australia and Mobile Test Sites.

Medical support, social services and secondary and confirmatory tests of the substances will also be presented.

Service will also serve as real -time surveillance and allow health authorities to detect new types of synthetic drugs in the circulation and quickly evaluate them.

The state greeted a successful summer mobile pill test attempt at five music festivals and this summer will continue five more.

Approximately 1400 samples were tested with MDMA, ketamine and cocaine detected and drug consultancy throughout two state -wide drugs.

Two -thirds of the service users, a healthcare professional about reducing drug damage for the first time chatted and more than 30 percent of the less than the less said.

Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said the service was about saving life.

“No medication is safe, but we help Victorians to make more conscious and safer choices with test and open, health -oriented conversations.” He said.

Australia’s first fixed field pharmaceutical control service was opened in Canberra in 2022.