Partygoers Advised to Check Drugs Before New Year’s Celebrations

As the New Year approaches, partygoers are being urged to have their drugs tested to ensure safety at various music festivals across New Zealand. KnowYourStuff will be present at events including the AUM New Years Festival, Northern Bass, Twisted Frequency, and Rhythm and Alps in Wānaka, while the Drug Foundation will operate at Gisborne’s Rhythm and Vines festival.

Casey Spearin, a spokesperson for KnowYourStuff, highlighted the risks associated with purchasing illicit drugs, noting that approximately one in ten drugs sold on the black market are not what they are claimed to be. “We recommend that anyone who is planning on taking drugs this summer tries to get them checked before they do consume if possible,” she said.

Spearin emphasized that drug testing is advisable even if individuals have previously purchased substances from the same supplier. “You know, there can be changes anywhere along the supply chain,” she cautioned. The spokesperson expressed particular concern regarding synthetic cathinones, commonly referred to as “bath salts,” which have been sold under the guise of MDMA (ecstasy).

The risks of consuming such substances can be severe, potentially leading to hospitalization or even death. Spearin pointed out an alarming trend where buyers might receive higher doses than expected. “We do see these coming through with multiple doses of MDMA, sometimes two to three doses. I think there was one found that had nine or more doses in it,” she stated.

Additionally, Spearin noted an increase in the use of cocaine and ketamine, some of which may not be genuine. She reassured festival attendees that drug testing is free, anonymous, confidential, and legal. A temporary law that legalized drug checking was made permanent in 2021, with support from various parliamentary members except for the National Party.

Then-Health Minister Andrew Little affirmed that evidence indicates pill testing can enhance safety by identifying potentially dangerous substances before they are consumed. The initiative aims to reduce harm and promote safer practices among festival attendees.

As the festive season unfolds, authorities and organizations are hopeful that increased awareness and proactive measures will lead to a safer environment for all celebrants. The message is clear: checking drugs before consumption is a vital step in ensuring personal safety this New Year’s.