Queensland’s first permanent pill testing location opens

• Queensland leading the nation, committing to supporting drug checking on an ongoing basis.
• The Miles Labor Government is investing nearly $1 million to fund the delivery and evaluation of drug checking services in Queensland over the next two years.
• Queensland’s first fixed-site drug checking service has opened at its Bowen Hills location and will offer services every Friday.
• Pill testing is free, voluntary and completely confidential.

Queensland’s first fixed-site drug checking (also known as pill testing) service, CheQpoint, has opened its doors in Bowen Hills.

Drug checking services are free, voluntary, and confidential. They involve testing the substances a person intends to use and providing a health intervention aimed at reducing risks associated with illicit drug use by helping people make informed choices.

Following the success of the event-based service at the recent Rabbits Eat Lettice festival, this fixed pill testing service option marks an important next step in the government’s strategic approach to reducing illicit drug-related harms.

The CheQpoint drug checking service is a partnership between the Queensland Injectors Health Network, The Loop Australia, and the Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action.

They will deliver fixed-site services at two locations in southeast Queensland, alongside at least one festival-based service in 2024.

These Queensland based providers have a long-standing history of delivering specialist alcohol and other drug treatment and harm reduction to Queenslanders, including dedicated peer supports.

The addition of fixed site services improves access to drug checking for more people, more regularly.

The State Government has also engaged the University of Queensland’s Institute for Social Science Research to evaluate the services and develop a statewide monitoring framework for drug checking.

Harm Reduction Australia (operating as Pill Testing Australia) has also been engaged to provide a number of festival-based services throughout 2024 and 2025 and delivered the service at the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival.

At the festival, a total of 257 festivalgoers visited the drug checking service over the four days. Some attendees came individually, while others attended in groups.

The average age of patrons who used the service at the festival was between 28-30 years old.

Planning for the second fixed site is underway and will involve co-design processes with people with lived experience of substance use, potential service users and other key stakeholders.

Drug checking services will also be available at another festival in May. Further details will be released shortly.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Pill testing saves lives – it’s as simple as that.

“We can’t live with our head in the sand. Instead, we are empowering Queenslanders to make informed choices about their health.

“Queenslanders of all ages tell me they are in support of this initiative, and we’ll pay close attention to its operation and success.

“I encourage any person thinking about taking illicit drugs to get them tested, understand the risk and make a choice.

“A single death from drug use is one too many. I’m confident this initiative will make a difference.”  

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

“I’m proud we’re officially launching CheQPoint [Check-Point], Queensland’s first permanent drug checking service, which begins operations today.

“These critical services will be part of a multi-layered approach to harm reduction for people who engage in substance use.

“We know that by informing people of the dangers associated with illicit substance, we can influence behaviour and ideally lead to reduced use.

“Data from drug checking also informs targeted public health warnings, helping to prevent others from consuming dangerous substances.

“It has been really disappointing to see the LNP indicate they want to roll back these services.

“These services will save lives and keep people safe, and it’s time the LNP stop standing in the way of harm reduction measures.”

Quotes attributable to Member for McConnell Grace Grace:

“I’m proud to support Australia’s first ever pill testing location, here in my electorate.

“If just one person reconsiders their illicit drug use, then we will have made a difference.

“Progressive policies like this are a signature of our government – entirely at risk under an LNP government.

“The LNP don’t support the life saving work being undertaken here, they don’t support empowering Queenslanders, and they don’t support investments in modern methods of harm-reducing healthcare.” 

Quotes attributable to the Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Injectors Health Network (QuIHN) Ltd, Geoff Davey:

“I commend the Queensland Government for their commitment to evidence-based responses to drug use.

“We must be proactive to safeguard the health and well-being of our community.

“This funding is a significant step forward toward building a safer and more informed community.

“We are confident that our drug-checking service will empower individuals to make safer choices."

Quotes attributable to the Chief Executive Officer, The Loop Australia, Cameron Francis:

“Drug-checking through fixed sites can reach large numbers of people in the community.

“We know that for many people accessing a drug checking service, it will be the first time they speak to a health professional about their drug use.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to learn about the risks, and how to be safer.”

Quotes attributable to the Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Injectors Voice for Advocacy and Action (QuIVAA) Inc., Emma Kill:

“Safety is at the heart of drug checking.

“Harm Reduction public health measures such as these increase safety and decrease the number of avoidable fatalities. 

“It’s based on evidence rather than prejudice.”

ENDS