Pill testing to go ahead at Schoolies

Transcript: AMA Queensland President, Dr Nick Yim, 4BC Radio, Breakfast with Peter Fegan, Wednesday 6 November 2024

Subjects: Pill testing, drug diversion laws

PETER FEGAN: The LNP will allow pill testing to go ahead at this year's Queensland Schoolies. There's been so much back and forth on this divisive issue. Thousands of graduating high school students will descend upon the Gold Coast next weekend, and like it or not, there will be drug use. But while it was flagged that there could be a change, the government has conceded it was too late to make changes that would allow their planned ban on drug testing. On the line now to discuss the issue is the Australian Medical Association Queensland President Dr Nick Yim. Doctor, thank you for your time this morning.

DR NICK YIM: Good morning.

PETER FEGAN: Pill testing is something that AMA Queensland has long supported. You must be pleased that it will remain in for Schoolies.

DR NICK YIM: Definitely. We are very heartened to hear that Premier Crisafulli has indicated to keep pill testing at Schoolies this year. This is a sign that the current government is keen to seek expert advice on issues, which is really positive.

PETER FEGAN: I think a lot of people listening this morning will agree with what I'm about to say here doctor, and that is that drugs are illegal. And by telling kids – ‘hey, listen, if you're going to do pills, if you're going to break the law, we'll test them for you.’ Doesn't it set a bad example? Shouldn't we be telling them, doctor – ‘this is illegal, you shouldn't be testing pills’ or ‘you shouldn't be taking them at all anyway.’

DR NICK YIM: I think you've highlighted a little bit earlier; I think it's something where we must acknowledge that in our community across Australia, across Queensland, that drug use does occur. But as you can imagine, many young children, they’re curious, they’re in an experimental phase of their life. Early data does suggest with pill testing centres, when people do present, 16 per cent actually choose to dispose of these substances after testing and having that discussion with a healthcare professional. Pill testing itself is just one strategy to kerb drug use. But also the key thing, as we all acknowledge, is we want to ensure people who are going to use drugs are safe, but also give them a supportive and educational environment.

PETER FEGAN: So, by all rights, the police should just stand next to the pill testing tent, and as soon as they get their pills tested, arrest them, shouldn't they? I mean, they could if they wanted to.

DR NICK YIM: But I think the key thing here is these are strategies. We also have the current legislation, the drug law reform. We do know that we want to go down the route of more education support. It's one of these things, it's something where…

PETER FEGAN: Yeah, but doctor, sorry to interrupt. But the educational support shouldn't be to test pills. It should be that pills are bad for you and don't take them, shouldn't it? That's the education, surely.

DR NICK YIM: That's definitely one step. And obviously we know that education is provided in family homes by parents, schools, support workers as well. And pill testing itself is just another access point. When a person does present to a centre, health professionals are manning the site to provide education not just on drugs, but also alcohol supports because it can be a stressful period in their life.

PETER FEGAN: It's interesting because the LNP will allow it, but it's weird because they say it's too late and they couldn't do anything about it, but anyway. The legislation that's currently in place, it was put in place by the former government with the backing of Katarina Carroll, the then Police Commissioner, was this – ‘this legislation relaxes current laws that police must follow, allowing three chances before a person can be sent to court for the most low-level drug offences. People carrying cocaine and pills and things like that will get three chances before they face court.’ It's interesting that the LNP wants to revoke those laws but is backing pill testing here. It's quite the contradiction. I mean, something I should put to them. But when you're dealing with the new Premier have you had any chance to talk to him about these laws?

DR NICK YIM: As you can imagine, it's a very busy period for the incoming government or the new government now. But this is one of the topics that we do want to discuss with them, because the current drug diversion laws, these were laws that were set up by experts. Obviously, we've got doctors, legal experts and even the police. And as you can imagine, when people do go through the legal system, it is very costly. So, some of these costs, these funds can be diverted into health education and that can be really important for our community. I grew up on the Gold Coast, and it's something where curiosity, it's one of those things that you do get introduced to tablets, especially on a weekend. So obviously, if we can provide more education and support to the community, this has got to be a positive aspect.

PETER FEGAN: It's 18 minutes to eight o’clock. My guest this morning is Dr Nick Yim. He's the President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland and we're talking about pill testing this morning. Doctor, I want to ask you, are there bad pills doing the rounds? Is that what police are telling you?

DR NICK YIM: One of the challenging aspects is, with the current times, we are seeing increased synthetic compounds. These substances, we don't actually know what's in them. And what we are seeing, definitely in some music festivals interstate, instances where unfortunately there have been unintended overdoses where people do present to emergency departments that can unfortunately lead to death. But at the same time, we are seeing these unintended overdoses add pressure to the ambulance service and also emergency departments. And as you can imagine, our health workforce is under pressure at the moment as well.

PETER FEGAN: Look, it's one of these topics that we can debate for days and days on end, and we will probably never really come up with a response that everyone's happy with. My opinion is this doctor, I think that it sets a dangerous precedent if we are pill testing. I mean, you go back to the days of the shooting galleries they used to have in Sydney and parts of Brisbane as well, and they've all been shut down, particularly in Sydney. But we do see, doctor, we have needle exchanges and we have proper disposal bins for needles these days. So, I guess the attitude of government is – ‘look, people are going to use drugs. And if that's the case, let's do so safely.’ And, for AMA Queensland to support it, I guess there'd be people listening this morning that will credit you for that because they are worried about their children.

DR NICK YIM: 100 per cent. And you've actually highlighted an important point. It's something where it's harm minimisation. I think it's one of these things that unfortunately, there are sometimes choices that we make that aren’t wise. And obviously as a parent, if their child is going down to Schoolies, it's an opportunity if that child is considering taking drugs, they can actually have that conversation, have that pill tested. And obviously we don't want to see any children or young adults passing away because of an unintended overdose.

PETER FEGAN: Good on you, doctor. I really appreciate it. Just before I let you go, you have got a new government in. I mean, there's been plenty of issues highlighted by your colleague, Dr Maria Boulton about the state of Queensland's health. Have you met with Tim Nicholls yet?

DR NICK YIM: No. Obviously, it's been a very busy period for the new government. We definitely are trying to tee up a meeting and as you can imagine, there are many, issues. But I think this is really key. I think AMA Queensland, we are very keen to work with the current government and work on issues moving forward.

PETER FEGAN: Good on you, doctor. It's great to chat to you and we'll chat into the future.

DR NICK YIM: All right. Always a pleasure.

Contact: AMA Queensland Media: +61 419 735 641                  media@amaq.com.au