NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has again rejected the idea of pill testing at music festivals, in the wake of another death at a music festival over the weekend.
19-year-old Callum Brosnan died as a result of a suspected drug overdose at the Knockout Games of Destiny Dance Party on Saturday in Sydney.
The festival also recorded a death last year, when a punter tripped over and struck his head on the ground.
“It’s a human tragedy,” said Berejiklian, speaking to Nine News this morning.
“If we thought it would save a single life, of course, we would go down that path,” said the premier when quizzed about pill testing.
The NSW government is refusing to budge on pill testing
“Unfortunately, what pill testing doesn’t do is really take into account people’s different physical attributes. What is safe for one person isn’t safe for another.”
Two women, aged 19 and 25, were also taken to Westmead hospital and remain in a critical condition.
Police said that 62 people found in possession of drugs on Saturday, including one woman who was found with nearly 400 tablets internally concealed.
The Knockout Games of Destiny dance party on Saturday attracted over 100,000 people to Sydney Olympic Park
“We will continue to have a strong presence at festivals and dance parties with the wellbeing and safety of attendees our number one priority,” said South West Metropolitan Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell.
“There is no acceptable use for drugs — the message is clear.”
The death on Saturday comes after two people passed away at Defqon 1. in September, in what has been a tough few months for music festivals.
In the wake of that incident, doctors slammed the government for having their “head in the sand” when it came to drug use at festivals.
“At the moment…the same ole’, same ole’ is killing people,” wrote David Caldicott, the doctor who worked on Australia’s first successful pill testing experiment at the Canberra leg of Groovin’ The Moo this year.
“If you can say it achieved nothing or made things worse- [then] never do it again.”
Here's a thought.
What is the harm of any jurisdiction allowing a trial of #pilltesting in Australia?
Just try it- just once.
If you can say it achieved nothing, or made things worse- never do it again.
Because at the moment, doing 'the same 'ole, same 'ole is killing' people.— David Caldicott (@ACTINOSProject) September 16, 2018
