With the Beyond the Valley festival running from December 28 to January 1, Victoria will operate its first mobile pill testing service.
Festival-goers will be able to access free and confidential advice, with the capacity for at least 200 sample checks per day, the most of any service in Australia.
Victoria joins Queensland and the ACT in offering the service, with the trial delivered as part of a $95 million state government plan to reduce drug deaths and harm.
Acting Minister for Mental Health Mary-Anne Thomas said this is just one part of the plan.
“Pill testing is just one of many health initiatives we’re introducing to reduce drug harm in our state – helping Victorians make safer and better-informed decisions.”
Festival organisers also have emergency management plans in place to manage risks, including overdoses.
The testing will run across the four days of the festival, between the hours of 1pm and 7pm.
