❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond questions the government's refusal to introduce pill testing at music festivals following a death in Tasmania and Queensland's adoption of pill testing. The government maintains its stance and outlines existing harm reduction strategies.
AnsweredQoN 319Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MUSIC FESTIVALS — PILL TESTING
319. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the recent announcement
by the Queensland government to introduce pill testing at music festivals—the
second state or territory government to do so—and the death of another
young person at a music festival last week in Tasmania.
(1) Will the
government reconsider its blanket refusal to introduce pill testing at music
festivals, given the large number of events that are held in WA each year?
(2) Does the
government have any solutions to prevent substance-related deaths at music
festivals in WA?
319. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Police:
I refer to the recent announcement
by the Queensland government to introduce pill testing at music festivals—the
second state or territory government to do so—and the death of another
young person at a music festival last week in Tasmania.
(1) Will the
government reconsider its blanket refusal to introduce pill testing at music
festivals, given the large number of events that are held in WA each year?
(2) Does the
government have any solutions to prevent substance-related deaths at music
festivals in WA?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the minister
representing the Minister for Police, I thank the honourable member for some
notice of the question, which was redirected to the Minister for Mental Health.
(1) No.
(2) The
McGowan government funds and delivers a range of targeted strategies to reduce
the risk of drug-related harms and deaths at events. This includes —
(a) the Western Australia
Department of Health Guidelines for concerts, events and organised gatherings 2022 , which prescribes requirements for concerts, events and organised
gatherings to ensure that places are
safe for patrons, including the management of drug-related issues at events;
(b) the Safer
Events and Venues campaign, as part of the Drug Aware public education program,
which targets high-risk settings, including music festivals and night venues,
to reduce harm associated with MDMA use;
(c) training stakeholders to provide services during
school leavers events, including responding to alcohol and other drug
issues, engaging with young people and teaching harm-reduction strategies; and
(d) convening an
interagency group to consider opportunities to implement strategies to optimise
safety at music festivals.
representing the Minister for Police, I thank the honourable member for some
notice of the question, which was redirected to the Minister for Mental Health.
(1) No.
(2) The
McGowan government funds and delivers a range of targeted strategies to reduce
the risk of drug-related harms and deaths at events. This includes —
(a) the Western Australia
Department of Health Guidelines for concerts, events and organised gatherings 2022 , which prescribes requirements for concerts, events and organised
gatherings to ensure that places are
safe for patrons, including the management of drug-related issues at events;
(b) the Safer
Events and Venues campaign, as part of the Drug Aware public education program,
which targets high-risk settings, including music festivals and night venues,
to reduce harm associated with MDMA use;
(c) training stakeholders to provide services during
school leavers events, including responding to alcohol and other drug
issues, engaging with young people and teaching harm-reduction strategies; and
(d) convening an
interagency group to consider opportunities to implement strategies to optimise
safety at music festivals.
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