Inside Australia’s first pill-testing clinic

We spoke a harm minimisation advocate before and after the first weekend to see behind the scenes and learn what impact it may have on recreational drug use in our city.  

Local rave collective Canberra House Social has a manifesto for creative events that ends with Keep it real. Keep it safe. Something the dance music and rave scene has been asking for for a long time is safe testing of recreational drugs. Now it has been made possible with CanTest, Australia's first fixed site pill-testing clinic. Mustard Flats was there on the opening weekend of the 6 month trial established by the advocacy of Pill Testing Australia, run by Directions Health Services with CAHMA and the ANU providing expert staff.

We spoke with dance music promoter (Canberra House Social) and harm minimisation advocate (CAHMA) Mitch Lamb about his experience working at the facility and what it’s impact could be on the music scene in Canberra. He believes it could see a huge shift in the safety of our underground music and party scene where drug taking is part of the culture.

for more information visit directionshealth.com/cantest

The CanTEST Health and Drug Checking Service, also known as pill testing, is a free and confidential health and harm reduction service.  You can access the service to discuss any health needs you may have with a nurse, and/or have your pills or drugs tested. (From the Direction Health website)