ACT Opposition Slams Move To Allow Pill-testing At Groovin The Moo Canberra

ACT shadow attorney-general Jeremy Hanson has trashed yesterday's decision to allow pill testing at Groovin The Moo Canberra, claiming that the move will encourage drug use.

As reported by ABC, Hanson stated that the Australian-first publicly available pill-testing service would portray the city in a negative light.

"It's essentially saying we're the pill-popping centre of Australia, come to Canberra because this is where you can get your drugs tested," Hanson said.

He also voiced worry over the potential legal liabilities that would arise if an attendee came to harm after consuming drugs that had been tested.

"I'm very concerned about the young people who are now going to be taking drugs under the misapprehension that these drugs are safe, and the consequences and the harm that's being done to them," he said.

"If someone engages in pill testing, and then gets very sick after taking illicit drugs, who's responsible for that? who's culpable?"

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Health Minister Meeghan Fitzharris addressed Hanson's concerns by reiterating that the service does not encourage drug use but rather enhances harm minimisation.

"When people have more information available to them about what it is in the pill that they may choose to take, many of them may choose not to take it," Fitzharris said.

ACT Police have confirmed that while they will be patrolling the festival, they will not target the pill-testing area.

"Whilst ACT Policing does not condone the use of illicit drugs, we do support harm minimisation strategies such as the decision to provide an accommodating environment to allow for pill testing at Groovin The Moo," a spokesman said.

"ACT Policing will not actively target the health precinct or their users in line with well-established protocols with ACT Health facilities."

Groovin The Moo Canberra will take place this Sunday with Royal Blood, Paul Kelly, Duke Dumont, Vera Blue and more; check out theGuide for all the details.