Queensland Becomes 1st Australian State to Ban ‘Pill Testing’ Services

Medical experts say the ban will cost lives, but the Crisafulli government insists pill testing ’sends the wrong message' regarding illicit drug use.

A pill testing machine is seen during a briefing with medical practitioners responsible for the recent pill testing trial in the ACT, explains the logistics of a pill testing medical service for music festivals at the Ted Noffs Foundation in Randwick, Sydney, Jan. 22, 2019. AAP Image/Jeremy Piper

Queensland has become the first state in Australia to formally outlaw anonymous pill testing for drugs, passing new laws in parliament late on Sept. 18.

The move shuts down existing services and blocks any future attempts at drug checking, despite warnings from doctors and health experts that the ban could cost lives.