Victorian Greens are going full speed ahead with a new legislation aimed at introducing pill-testing to Victoria, basically, as soon as possible. A draft of the legislation was revealed today and will be known as Daniel’s Bill, after Daniel Buccianti, who lost his life after a drug overdose at Rainbow Serpent Festival in 2012.
The Bill is thorough and considerable fair, calling for just two pill-testing operations to be set up in the state. One would be a roaming pill-testing set-up used to test drugs on-location at festivals, the other being a fixed-site lab HQ which will be used for drug analysis, ABC reports.
Both operations will have a one year permit to operate, with a review schedule for the end of that period. Both will also have the option of extending their permits for up to 4 years following the trial year.
Victorian Greens are eager to cut through all the shit talk on the issue and get proactive. Drug law reform spokesperson Dr Tim Read stated, “We need to change the culture of drug use in Australia, and the first step is treating drug use as a health issue.”
“We must acknowledge the current approach is resulting in unintended consequences and instead choose policies that have worked elsewhere…It’s time to get over the stigma and just test the pills.”
The proposed two-location set up will also allow pills to be tested throughout the year, not just amid summer festival season. Victorian Greens are aiming to have The Bill formally introduced to Parliament before summer festival season kicks off.
Adriana Buccianti, the mother of the Bills namesake, Daniel, has been a staunch advocate for pill testing since her sons tragic passing. Speaking of the legislation, Adriana seemed hopeful “”When Daniel died I made a commitment that I would fight for pill-testing and for the legislation to be called ‘Daniel’s Bill’. I’m thankful that is now a reality and I plead with Daniel Andrews to support it so it becomes law.”
NSW’s government is lagging very much behind on the issue. Indeed, despite the growing support for a pill testing system, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has publicly dismissed the concept.
