NSW Rolls Out Funded Drug Checking Services at Select Music Festivals

The New South Wales Government is launching its $4.3 million drug checking program at select music festivals over the October long weekend, starting with the Knockout Outdoor festival on Saturday. The initiative involves identifying up to 15 music festivals each year where the service is projected to have the highest public health impact.

Delivered by NSW Health in partnership with NUAA (formerly the NSW Users and AIDS Association) and the music festival industry, the program allows patrons to voluntarily submit small samples of illicit drugs for on-site analysis by NSW Health Pathology forensic chemists. Qualified NUAA peer workers will then explain the test results and offer harm reduction guidance, while amnesty bins will be available on-site for voluntary drug disposal.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant stated that drug checking is intended to help individuals make informed choices and reduce drug-related harm, though she emphasized that testing does not guarantee safety. The NSW Government maintained that illicit drugs remain illegal in the state and that offering these services does not constitute an endorsement of illicit drug use.

According to NSW Health, the ongoing program follows a trial and independent evaluation across 12 festivals, which recorded over 1,800 visitors and approximately 1,500 tested samples. Future participating festivals will be selected based on location, festival size, event type, and risk factors related to drug-related harm.

In addition to drug checking, the Knockout Outdoor festival will feature complementary harm reduction measures, such as medical support, roving peer-based teams, chill-out spaces, and free water.

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