Photo: Daisy Hofstetter

Pill Testing To Reportedly Go Ahead At Groovin The Moo Canberra This Sunday

After months of back and forth, pill testing will reportedly go ahead at Groovin The Moo in Canberra this Sunday.

The ABC reports the trial has been given the green light by promoters Cattleyard Promotions. They were the last needed to sign on after the ACT government, ACT Policing and the University Of Canberra had already given their support.

Music Feeds has contacted Cattleyard and ACT Health for comment.

Pill testing advocates offered Cattleyard legal immunity but the promoters were reportedly looking for blanket indemnity. Given this latest development, however, it seems they were able to reach a solution.

Punters offering pills up for testing will remain anonymous. The body carrying out the tests Safety Testing Advisory Service at Festivals and Events (STA-SAFE) will collect information on the drugs to help inform future policy.

They will also advise festivalgoers on what chemicals the drugs contain and how they may respond to them.

It will be the first instance of legalised pill testing in the ACT after Spilt Milk pulled the pin on it at the last minute last year.

STA-SAFE member David Caldicott suggested at the time that promoters had caved to mounting pressure to pull out of the trial.

STA-SAFE have been looking to trial it at festivals around the country, however, the ACT is the only state or territory where they’ve got the backing of government and law enforcement.

The University of Canberra, where the festival will be held, also threw their support behind the trial last month.

Pill testing will not be trialled at any of the other Groovin locations.

RELATED: OPINION: Hey Groovin The Moo, Pill Testing Is A Public Good

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