# Sniffer dogs deployed as NSW pill-testing trial begins in Wollongong

Festival goers using NSW’s first pill testing service won’t be subjected to sniffer dog searches but that doesn’t apply to people on their way to have their substances checked.

Authorities warned taking drugs remains illegal and police vowed to maintain a highly visible presence around , insisting safety was the top priority.

Thousands of revellers on Saturday gained access to the harm reduction measure for the first time at The Yours and Owls music festival in Wollongong, headlined by US rapper Denzel Curry and UK band The Kooks.

## Safety of festival goers

NSW police drug detection dogs were being used away from the testing facility despite known effects on risk-taking, a contrast to Victoria where police did not use sniffer dogs .

Police agreed to stay away from the pill testing and medical precinct but not elsewhere around the festival grounds, according to the NSW health minister, Ryan Park.

He said police had a right to go about their operations as they saw fit and conceded the trial exposed “inherent contradictions” in drug policy but said something had to be done after a spate of fatal overdoses.

“If they’re waiting to come in, there’s still an opportunity for police to enforce the law and I haven’t pretended that that’s not the case,” Park said.

“What we have said is that we’ve worked with police on this particular area and this particular part of the festival.

“But none of us are going to pretend all of a sudden that this green-lights illicit drug use. It doesn’t.”

Dozens of police had gathered at a mobile command unit outside the main gate early on Saturday.

Some 12 festivals will offer the service as part of a year-long, $1m government-run pilot.

Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said there was a risk to people’s safety at music festivals when there was high-visibility policing, including drug dogs.

“If people are going to take drugs, we want them to do so as safely as possible and that is not what a highly visible police presence leads to,” Faehrmann told AAP.

Alexandra Ross-King  after consuming three MDMA capsules and multiple alcoholic drinks.

A friend told her inquest the 19-year-old took two capsules at the festival gates when she became nervous she might be caught by sniffer dogs.

Safety of festival goers was the top priority, Detective Acting Superintendent Glen Broadhead said.

“Police will be targeting antisocial behaviour and alcohol-fuelled violence and any behaviour that puts yourself or others at risk will not be tolerated,” he said.

“Prohibited drugs are illegal and potentially life-threatening, especially when combined with alcohol.

“We urge anyone who feels unwell or needs medical assistance to attend one of the medical tents on site.”

Inside the drug checking service, non-government peer workers presented users with the health and safety issues associated with illicit drugs.

Up to six people at a time could have their drugs checked, with analysis taking about 10 minutes, followed by further discussion.

An amnesty bin was also available.

Some results can lead to broader warnings to attendees or feed into intelligence for peer workers and medical staff on the ground, the state’s chief health officer said.

Drug checking is available in at least 28 countries, according to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

Queensland’s new conservative government this week reiterated plans to shut down community drug checking services in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
```