The state government has warned it will crush any attempts revive pill testing in the state - even when privately funded. The deputy premier says whatever necessary to ban drug checking facilities. It comes a day after a private pill testing facility announced it will be opening its doors.
00:00The state government isn't swallowing any arguments that drug testing helps save lives.
00:08Pills kill Queenslanders. The government has a zero tolerance approach on drugs, on illicit drugs.
00:15One of the state's illicit drug checking services was scheduled to reopen in Brisbane next week with private funding.
00:21We do not tolerate it, we will not allow it and we will legislate or regulate against those private providers.
00:28But health experts are warning such bans could be deadly.
00:31Non-for-profit health organisation The Loop says without access to this service, people will lose their lives.
00:38Drug checking prevents deaths. Stopping this work will only result in unnecessary harm to the community.
00:44It has also been claimed preventing overdoses and other adverse reactions keeps patients out of already overwhelmed emergency departments.
00:53If a pill testing facility can prevent one death, that is funding well spent.
00:59The government says education and rehabilitation programs would be more effective at curbing the use of illicit drugs and has warned the private pill testing clinic to keep their doors shut or they'll intervene.
01:10It's now in their court not to reopen as they have indicated they will be.
01:14I think it's a real overreach of the government to be doing this but once again it strikes me that they're not interested in listening to expert advice.
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