Queensland's Rabbits Eat Lettuce becomes first Australian festival to implement drug-checking service
- PublishedThu, Mar 28, 2024, 22:00
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- The two-day event started yesterday, March 28th.
- Rabbits Eat Lettuce is the first Australian festival to roll out ongoing pill-testing services as part of its harm-reduction strategy. The Queensland event, which turns 15 this year, started yesterday, March 28th, and runs until 6 AM on March 30th. The pill-testing services are being carried out by Harm Reduction Australia, with the results given to The University of Queensland for evaluation. A fixed-drug testing facility will also be set up at Bowens Hill in Brisbane in April. "This initiative reflects our commitment to minimising harm and empowering our festivalgoers with informed decisions regarding substance use," said festival founder Erik Lamir. "By offering discreet, legal and medically approved testing, we aim to reduce the risks associated with substances to ensure our community can enjoy the festival's vibrant offerings with peace of mind." Suspected overdoses left two people dead at Rabbits Eat Lettuce in 2019. Speaking to Resident Advisor, a spokesperson for the festival said Lamir has been campaigning for pill testing at festivals for several years, which only became possible after close consultation with Queensland authorities and medical professionals. Jennifer Schumann, an advisor for Pill Testing Australia, told RA that the Australian government is investing £522,000 into drug testing over the next two years. Earlier this year, a study by Schumann, who also works at the faculty of forensic science at Melbourne's Monash University, found drug testing could have prevented the majority of festival deaths over the last 19 years. The study, published by the International Journal of Drug Policy, found 64 people died at festivals between 2000 and 2019. Canberra became the first state to roll out pill testing during a pilot at Groovin the Moo festival in 2018. This was followed by a six-month, fixed-site health- and drug-checking pilot in June 2022, a service that has now been extended to December 2024. Queensland, however, will be providing this service on a permanent basis. Schumann, also an advisor for Pill Testing Australia, told RA that drug-checking services at mobile and fixed sites were confirmed by Queensland last year. "A lot has happened in this space since then. Our paper contributed to the large evidence-base of a broader harm reduction approach." Browse Instagram and the event listing for more information. Photo: Rabbits Eat Lettuce
- Thu, 28 Mar
Rabbits Eat Lettuce
BIIANCO, Justin Martin, M.A.N.D.Y., What So Not, Martha van Straaten, Andreas Henneberg, Beth Lydi, Unders, DJ FABRICATION, Lunar Disco, Grouch