The push for pill testing in Victoria will gain steam this week as three cross-bench parties prepare to challenge the new Premier to take action by supporting their joint bill for a trial.
The Pill Testing Pilot for Drug Harm Reduction Bill was introduced at the end of last year by the Victorian Greens, the Animal Justice Party, and Legalise Cannabis Victoria.
It would establish a mobile pill testing service for major music festivals, as well as a fixed-site service for more detailed analysis year round. Both sites would be licensed for two years with the potential for a four-year extension following a review.
A recently obtained Parliamentary Budget Office costing has revealed a trial could cost as little as $3.7 million dollars, if Victoria used a similar model to the one used in Canberra.
With Parliament returning this week, the progressive parties say the time to act is now.
They say they hope their historic bill makes it clear that protecting young people from overdose or drug-related death is above politics or party lines.
