New hope for Schoolies
AMA Queensland continues to call on the LNP Government to reconsider their stance on pill testing. "Many people have been offered drugs throughout the stages of Schoolies, and pill testing is one step to prevent harm and potential deaths at these events. So, I think it's a really important step and we do commend the Premier at the current stage as he is seeking advice from experts of where to proceed moving forward," AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim told 10 News First.
Transcript: AMA Queensland President, Dr Nick Yim, 10 News First, Lunchtime with Angela Bishop, Wednesday 30 October 2024
Subjects: Pill testing at Schoolies
ANGELA BISHOP: Top doctors are calling on Queensland's new Premier David Crisafulli to reconsider scrapping pill testing ahead of Schoolies. The Miles government announced a pop-up clinic for Gold Coast celebrations back in July. But the LNP vowed to reverse the decision during the election campaign. One of the leading voices is AMA Queensland President Dr Nick Yim, and he joins us now. Thank you for your time this afternoon. Why do you feel so strongly about the new Premier reversing his decision?
DR NICK YIM: We know that school aged students when they're attending Schoolies, they might be curious. And we know sometimes drug taking is one of those areas where they may go throughout Schoolies. So, pill testing is an opportunity for those people to get those substances checked, to reduce harm for the community and to also reduce the emergency presentations for unintended overdoses.
ANGELA BISHOP: What's your response to those who say things like pill testing condone and encourage the use of drugs?
DR NICK YIM: From the early research, people who do present to pill testing centres, 16 per cent of them actually throw away those drugs. So, it actually reduces that harm. At the same time, one in two who present have never spoken to a healthcare professional before. So, it provides an opportunity to educate and support those young adults.
ANGELA BISHOP: Are we doing enough about educating young people on what might be in those tablets they purchase? What are some of the things that can be in them?
DR NICK YIM: This is the concerning aspect, and every opportunity to educate someone who potentially might be using drugs is important. We are seeing synthetic compounds and sometimes we just don't know what's in those drugs. And obviously this is leading to unintended overdoses and potentially emergency presentations.
ANGELA BISHOP: How dangerous do you think Schoolies could be without the clinic?
DR NICK YIM: It's important to acknowledge that many people have been offered drugs throughout the stages of Schoolies, and pill testing is one step to prevent harm and potential deaths at these events. So, I think it's a really important step and we do commend the Premier at the current stage as he is seeking advice from experts of where to proceed moving forward.
ANGELA BISHOP: Thank you for your time, Dr Nick Yim.
Contact: AMA Queensland Media: +61 419 735 641 media@amaq.com.au