21/08/25 - Victorian Government applauded for opening state’s first fixed pill testing site
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation strongly welcomes the opening of Victoria’s first fixed pill testing site, saying it will play an important role in reducing the risk of harms associated with illicit drug use, including overdose.
From today, anyone can get their drugs tested at the free and confidential service. It’s located at 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy and will operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.
Inside the service, chemists analyse drug samples, and harm reduction workers provide non-judgmental information about drug use, how to reduce harms and where to access help and support.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM applauded the Victorian Government for trialling the evidence-based, harm reduction initiative.
“This health service will help save lives by providing tailored harm reduction information, connecting people to health and social support, and through gathering and sharing important information about local drug trends,” she said.
“It gives people who have already purchased drugs and are intending to use them the opportunity to learn more from trusted health professionals about the drug’s strength and key ingredients in a non-judgmental setting. And at the same time, it’s a unique opportunity to provide them with other important health information they might not have otherwise accessed.”
Dr Lalor said pill testing services are urgently needed across the country, given the increasing presence of potent synthetic opioids, such as nitazenes.
“New drugs are continually being made and circulated, including some which have a high risk of overdose. Pill testing services provide individuals and the broader community with timely information about the dangers and circulation of these drugs,” she said.
“We know that pill testing trials have been successful in detecting drugs mixed with dangerous substances. When people use the service and find out what’s really in their drugs, it can change their behaviour, including ditching their drugs or taking less.”
Harm Reduction Victoria, The Loop Australia and Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) are delivering the pill testing service in Victoria, with support from Melbourne Health, Metabolomics Australia (University of Melbourne) and Youth Projects.
More information can be found on Victoria’s Department of Health website.
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For media enquiries please call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s media team on 0430 948 380 or email [email protected]