Police minister’s plan to legalise pill testing at summer festivals derailed as NZ First says it encourages drug use

Drug testing at music festivals will not be legal in time for the summer season, with Police Minister Stuart Nash struggling to get backing from New Zealand First.

Mr Nash said in January the move would save lives and hospitalisations, but has now said his plan to get it legalised has failed.

Festival owners are currently reluctant to openly back the drug testing as it is still illegal, but some events have the testing on-site.

“It is something I’m passionate about – I just can’t get it across the line,” Mr Nash said.

“It doesn’t mean I stop. It just means that we probably are not going to get it in place legally for this coming festival season.”

Drug testers are particularly worried about high-dose MDMA pills this summer, which has already led to deaths overseas.

NZ First law and order spokesperson Darroch Ball said drug testing could legitimise and encourage drug use.

“We’re acting at the wrong end here. We’re being very reactionary if we think it’s okay to start saving lives or to start protecting people after the drug has been taken or after it’s been purchased,” he said.
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/police-ministers-plan-legalise-pill-testing-summer-festivals-derailed-nz-first-says-encourages-drug-use

NZ First block drug checking: ‘Stick to things that are safe’
Radio NZ News 1 October 2019
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says a proposal to legalise drug checks at music festivals would send the wrong message about drug use, which he believes is a “thoroughly bad idea” and should not be condoned.

New Zealand First put the brakes on the Labour and Green-supported plan, which would have allowed pill testing services at events this summer.

“Taking pills at festivals is a thoroughly bad idea,” Mr Peters said.

“Now it’s been suggested that we should provide all the mechanisms for people to take a whole lot of pills down there to find whether pill taking is safe or not.

“We at New Zealand First say it’s not safe, don’t do it. If you want to live, then stick to things that are safe,” he said.

“I think it’s better to tell people that drugs and drug experimentation is an awfully risky and dangerous thing to do.”
READ MORE: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/400088/nz-first-block-drug-checking-stick-to-things-that-are-safe

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