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New Zealand health minister Andrew Little announced on April 9 that the 12-month-long interim laws permitting legal pill testing at festivals will be made permanent as the services have been making a positive impact.
Passed in December, the
Drug and Substance Checking Legislation Act 2020 permits appointed service providers to test any drug an individual presents at an event, as well as provide them with information about its contents and advise them on the potential harms.
Testing has been available at certain NZ festivals over recent years, which have been run by voluntary organisations, including KnowYourStuffNZ (KYSNZ).
These services were operating in a legal grey area, with event organisers open for prosecution for knowingly providing a venue for illicit drug use.