The NSW Labor Government has committed $4.3 million to continue drug checking services at selected music festivals across the state.
This announcement follows years of advocacy by Redfern Legal Centre, many other community and health organisations, and families impacted by drug-related deaths at music festivals.
RLC Police Accountability Practice Lead Rian Terrell
"Making pill testing available at music festivals will help keep young people safer.
It is encouraging that the NSW Government is listening to evidence and expert advice and backing harm minimisation measures.
However, the Government must now take the next logical step and cease the use of drug detection dogs and strip searches for suspected drug possession at music festivals.
Drug detection dogs make music festivals less safe by encouraging patrons to engage in risky behaviour such as 'preloading'—consuming all their drugs at once to avoid detection.
An inquest into the drug-related deaths of six young people at NSW music festivals found that high-visibility and punitive policing operations at festivals had 'inherent dangers and few if any benefits.'
The coroner recommended scrapping drug detection dogs altogether.
Having police and drug dogs at festivals where pill testing is available will deter young people from getting their pills tested, undermining the harm reduction outcomes of the scheme.
Testing will be more effective and save more lives without drug dogs present."
The landmark strip search class action judgment of Justice Yehia in October 2025 indicates that strip searches conducted on the mere suspicion of minor drug possession are unlawful. Although the decision has been appealed, the appeal is limited in scope and does not disturb this aspect of the judgment.
This fact, combined with the clear evidence that drug dogs make young people less safe, should be enough for the NSW Government to act.
