Brisbane has become the second place in Australia to open a permanent drug checking service. Anyone can have a small sample of an illicit drug tested for free to see if it contains dangerous chemicals.

Brisbane

Brisbane has inaugurated a significant health service in Bowen Hills, inner-city area, marking the city as the second location in Australia to house a permanent drug checking facility. This pioneering service allows individuals to test small samples of illicit drugs without charge. The primary goal is to identify potentially dangerous chemicals within these substances. Operated by skilled chemists, the facility requires only a minuscule sample, equivalent to the size of a match head, to conduct the analysis. This initiative responds to the increasing risks in the drug market, highlighted by the prevalence of contaminants in drugs.

The testing process is designed to be educational and supportive. While a chemist examines the drug sample, healthcare workers engage with clients on various health concerns, aiming to educate and empower individuals for their safety. The service also provides an added community benefit; in cases where highly dangerous substances are identified, the facility can issue immediate warnings via social media platforms to alert the broader public, typically within two hours of detection.

Australia's first permanent drug checking site in Canberra has proven the necessity of such services. Having tested over 1,200 samples in its first year, findings revealed that about half contained unexpected substances, affirming concerns over drug dealers diluting their products with harmful chemicals. The Brisbane site not only intends to protect users by identifying risky substances but also contributes to the broader effort in combating drug trafficking and organized crime linked to the drug trade.

Queensland Police backs the initiative, with an agreement in place to prevent unnecessary drug checks on individuals utilizing the service, thus promoting a safe environment for drug testing. The facility operates every Friday afternoon and plans to extend the service by establishing a second site elsewhere in Queensland in the forthcoming months. Information on the drug checking service is available at www.qld.gov.au, offering further guidance and support to Queenslanders and enhancing community safety.



Illicit drug testing site opens in Brisbane

At Bowen Hills in inner-city Brisbane, a landmark health service has opened its doors. It allows people who take drugs to find out exactly what's in them. There's a lot of evidence that the drug market is becoming more and more risky, we're seeing a lot more contaminants turning up in sort of unexpected places. Patrons bring in a sample of a pill, powder or liquid for testing by a chemist. Only a tiny amount is needed, about the size of a match head. During testing, a health care worker chats to the client about any health concerns they have. We all want our families and loved ones to come home to us at the end of the day or night and through this service we can work with individuals to educate, empower. If something alarming is found in the substance, not only is the individual told, a wider alert can be made to warn others. If we were to get something that was really high risk then we can get an alert published on social media channels probably initially within sort of two hours of us identifying that. Australia's first permanent drug checking site in Canberra tested more than 1,200 samples in just over a year of operation. About half the specimens contained unexpected substances, showing dealers often dilute what they're selling. We'll continue to crack down on those trafficking drugs and particularly the organised crime behind that but this is all about taking care of Queenslanders and keeping them safe. The service has the support of Queensland Police. Under an agreement, officers are not to conduct unnecessary drug checks on people at this site. It'll be open on Friday afternoons. A second Queensland testing site will be set up elsewhere in the coming months. For more information visit www.qld.gov.au

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