THE Queensland Government has decided not to renew funding for two pill testing sites, forcing them to close.
This is despite new evidence that nitazenes, lethal synthetic opioids, are spreading in Australia, and have been detected in wastewater and counterfeit pharmaceuticals - Queensland pill testing service CheQpoint discovered nitazene in two samples of oxycodone purchased online.
Advocates point out that the pill testing service is not only utilised by recreational drug users, but also by people buying cheap prescription medicines online from overseas who are concerned about safety.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) have called on the Queensland Government to reverse course and back the state's drug testing sites.
"Drug testing services like CheQpoint save lives, and I call on the Government to support and fund these vital detection services," said RACGP President, Dr Michael Wright.
The service was introduced a year ago by the Palaszczuk Government, but the current government says it sends the wrong message.
"What testing does is send a message that there is a component of drugs that is safe to do, and there is not," said Premier David Crisafulli.
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