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With debate raging nationally about the need for pill testing, three nurses have written to Nurse Uncut about why they believe it’s time for this important policy reform.

I cannot believe the opposition to pill testing on a number of levels. Irrespective of people’s views on the use of substances, people will use them.

Unlike alcohol and legal drugs, illicit substances require purchase via illegal means. Because of this, there is significant risk of contamination with harmful chemicals. Testing allows users to make informed decisions about the drugs they are taking. Having such vital information determines whether the drug will act as expected or have other potentially dangerous outcomes.

No one deserves to die by taking something that could be easily avoided through testing. Current evidence supports harm minimisation and testing is a part of this process.
The risk of overdose or individual reactions to substances will still occur, however the awareness of the contents of the substance can only reduce adverse events.

Our children and community members do not deserve to die through use or ingestion of something that is not what it is claimed to be, especially when such an easily validated alternative exists. Substance use needs to be a public health issue, with an associated framework – not a law and order issue for users. Mental Health Nurse, Illawarra, NSW

People should not take illegal drugs, but I live in the real world and support harm minimisation. Having worked in the Drug and Alcohol field before becoming a nurse, I know that people experiment, and unfortunately some do go on to become users. Pill testing needs to be legalised for people’s safety. Nurse, Sydney, NSW

” I know that people experiment. Pill testing needs to be legalised for people’s safety.”

There is always the comment put forward that people should not take illegal drugs. My question would be, why not? We need to critically think about why some substances are legal and others are not. Alcohol and nicotine are far more harmful to self and others than mushrooms, LSD and ecstasy. We, as a society are very quick to say “it’s illegal – don’t do it,” when I think we actually need to think much more about this. The evidence for pill testing is widespread. Pill testing is a very effective way to minimize harm. Drug and Alcohol Nurse, Sydney, NSW

“Pill testing is a very effective way to minimize harm.”

Read more on Nurse Uncut:

ANMF calls for implementation of pill-testing trials

Why I am an advocate for pill testing

Why we support pill testing

After a series of deaths and overdoses this summer, and as we head into the final public holiday weekend of January and its traditional music festivals, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is calling for urgent national action on the introduction of pill-testing trials.

ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler said that for many years the ANMF and other key experts have advocated for drug and alcohol related harm minimisation measures. Many of those measures have been introduced and have proved to be very successful in preventing avoidable deaths and overdoses. It’s now time for the Government to show national leadership and, in collaboration with frontline health experts, take serious action to introduce pill-testing trials.

“Supported by a significant volume of international evidence, Australian experts, nurses, doctors and others working in drug and alcohol services, are increasing their calls for pill-testing trials,” Ms Butler said.

“The evidence shows that pill testing is effective. Not only does it directly reduce harm from drug taking by preventing overdoses and unnecessary deaths, it can also lead to behaviour change amongst young people. Data has shown that when the results of pill-testing are presented to young people a majority will modify their drug taking behaviours and will share this message with their groups of friends.

“In addition to those benefits, pill-testing also provides an opportunity to share information and provide education around the risks and potential harms of drug taking. This is an opportunity that can be very difficult to find by other means.

“Policing and law enforcement strategies, while necessary at times, are simply not effective in preventing harm. Australia has an internationally recognised reputation in its approach to harm minimisation with regard to drug and alcohol use but we are falling way behind in our approach to pill-testing.

“Politicians must respond to the evidence, and while many calls are being made on state Premiers to introduce pill-testing trials which would be useful, there must be national leadership and coordination on this issue.

“Countries in Europe have been pill-testing since the 1990s, it’s time Australia’s political leaders took notice and took action before more young lives are lost.”

The ANMF, the Australian Medical Association, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, the Australasian College of Physicians, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Independent Member for Wentworth Dr Kerryn Phelps, Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale and Drug and Alcohol experts, are among those who are calling on State and Federal Governments to implement pill-testing trials, with a number of music festivals being staged in coming weeks.

This article was republished from the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation‘s media release. You can read the original article here.

Read more on Nurse Uncut:

Why I am an advocate for pill testing

Why we support pill testing

Reducing alcohol-related harm