Safe beats down under: investigating the support of drug checking at a regional festival in the Northern Territory, Australia

References

• Anzar, N., Suleman, S., Parvez, S., & Narang, J. (2022). A review on Illicit drugs and biosensing advances for its rapid detection. Process Biochemistry, 113, 113–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2021.12.021
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Northern territory, census aboriginal and/or torres strait islander people QuickStats. Retrieved January 19, 2024, from https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/IQS7F
   Google Scholar
• Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Regional population by age and sex: Statistics about the population by age and sex for Australia’s capital cities and regions. Retrieved September 28, 2023, from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/regional-population-age-and-sex/2022#northern-territory
   Google Scholar
• Bardwell, G., Boyd, J., Tupper, K. W., & Kerr, T. (2019). We don’t got that kind of time, man. We’re trying to get high!: Exploring potential use of drug checking technologies among structurally vulnerable people who use drugs. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 71, 125–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.06.018
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Barratt, M. J., & Measham, F. (2022). What is drug checking, anyway? Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, 23(3), 176–187. https://doi.org/10.1108/DHS-01-2022-0007
   Google Scholar
• Barratt, M. J., Bruno, R., Ezard, N., & Ritter, A. (2018). Pill testing or drug checking in Australia: Acceptability of service design features. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37(2), 226–236. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12576
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bharat, C., Webb, P., Wilkinson, Z., McKetin, R., Grebely, J., Farrell, M., Holland, A., Hickman, M., Tran, L. T., Clark, B., Peacock, A., Darke, S., Li, J.-H., & Degenhardt, L. (2023). Agreement between self-reported illicit drug use and biological samples: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction, 118(9), 1624–1648. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.16200
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Black, E., Govindasamy, L., Auld, R., McArdle, K., Sharpe, C., Dawson, A., Vazquez, S., Brett, J., Friend, C., Shaw, V., Tyner, S., McDonald, C., Koop, D., Tall, G., Welsby, D., Habig, K., Madeddu, D., & Cretikos, M. (2020). Toxicological analysis of serious drug-related harm among electronic dance music festival attendees in New South Wales, Australia: A consecutive case series. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 213, 108070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108070
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Brett, J., Siefried, K. J., Healey, A., Harrod, M. E., Franklin, E., Barratt, M. J., Masters, J., Nguyen, L., Adiraju, S., & Gerber, C. (2022). Wastewater analysis for psychoactive substances at music festivals across New South Wales, Australia in 2019–2020. Clinical Toxicology, 60(4), 440–445. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2021.1979233
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Government. (2023). Seasonal climate summary for northern territory. Retrieved January 14, 2024, from http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/season/nt/summary.shtml#summary
   Google Scholar
• Caldwell, F. (2023). Police will not be called on users seeking illicit drug testing in Queensland. Retrieved September 19, 2023, from https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/police-will-not-be-called-on-users-seeking-illicit-drug-testing-in-queensland-20230907-p5e2oq.html
   Google Scholar
• Caluzzi, G., Torney, A., & Callinan, S. (2023). Who supports drug‐checking services in Australia? An analysis of 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey data. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42(6), 1553–1558. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13707
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Carroll, J. J. (2021). Auras of detection: Power and knowledge in drug prohibition. Contemporary Drug Problems, 48(4), 327–345. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914509211035487
   Google Scholar
• Clough, A. R., & Jones, P. J. (2004). Policy approaches to support local community control over the supply and distribution of kava in the Northern Territory (Australia). Drug and Alcohol Review, 23(1), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230410001645619
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Colledge-Frisby, S., Ottaviano, S., Webb, P., Grebely, J., Wheeler, A., Cunningham, E. B., Hajarizadeh, B., Leung, J., Peacock, A., Vickerman, P., Farrell, M., Dore, G. J., Hickman, M., & Degenhardt, L. (2023). Global coverage of interventions to prevent and manage drug-related harms among people who inject drugs: a systematic review. The Lancet. Global Health, 11(5), e673-683–e683. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00058-X
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Coroners Court of Victoria. (2021). Finding into death with inquest. Court Reference COR 2016 3441, COR 2016 5703, COR 2016 6116, COR 2017 0214, COR 2017 0216. Findings of: Coroner Paresa Antoniadis Spanos.
   Google Scholar
• Coroners Court of Victoria. (2022a). COR 2020 3434. Finding into death without inquest. Deceased: Mr S. Findings of: Coroner Sarah Gebert. Coroners Court of Victoria.
   Google Scholar
• Coroners Court of Victoria. (2022b). COR 2020 5219. Finding into death without inquest. Deceased: Mr P. Findings of: Coroner Sarah Gebert. Coroners Court of Victoria.
   Google Scholar
• Coroners Court of Victoria. (2023). COR 2022 1464. Finding into death without inquest. Deceased: Mr P. Findings of: Judge John Cain, State Coroner. Coroners Court of Victoria. https://coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/Form%2038-Finding%20into%20Death%20without%20Inquest%20-%20COR%202022%201464%20-%20Mr%20P.pdf
   Google Scholar
• Cruz, S. L., Bencomo-Cruz, M., Medina-Mora, M. E., Vázquez-Quiroz, F., & Fleiz-Bautista, C. (2023). First drug-checking study at an electronic festival and fentanyl detection in the central region of Mexico. Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1), 174–174. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-023-00905-8
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• D'Ath, Y. (2023). Pill testing gets the green light [Press release] https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/97250
   Google Scholar
• Davis, S., Wallace, B., Van Roode, T., & Hore, D. (2022). Substance use stigma and community drug checking: A qualitative study examining barriers and possible responses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15978. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315978
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Day, N., Criss, J., Griffiths, B., Gujral, S. K., John-Leader, F., Johnston, J., & Pit, S. (2018). Music festival attendees’ illicit drug use, knowledge and practices regarding drug content and purity: A cross-sectional survey. Harm Reduction Journal, 15(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0205-7
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Department of Health and Aged Care. (2017). National Drug Strategy 2017-2026. Australian Government. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/national-drug-strategy-2017-2026.pdf
   Google Scholar
• Department of Treasury and Finance. (2023). Population. Northern Territory Government. Retireved 14 January 2024 from https://nteconomy.nt.gov.au/population#characteristics
   Google Scholar
• Douglass, C. H., Raggatt, M., Wright, C. J. C., Reddan, H., O’Connell, H., Lim, M. S., & Dietze, P. M. (2022). Alcohol consumption and illicit drug use among young music festival attendees in Australia. Drugs, 29(2), 175–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2021.1889978
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Erickson, T. B., Aks, S. E., Koenigsberg, M., Bunney, E. B., Schurgin, B., & Levy, P. (1996). Drug use patterns at major rock concert events. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 28(1), 22–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(96)70133-6
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Fernández‐Calderón, F., Díaz‐Batanero, C., Barratt, M. J., & Palamar, J. J. (2019). Harm reduction strategies related to dosing and their relation to harms among festival attendees who use multiple drugs. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(1), 57–67. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12868
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Giulini, F., Keenan, E., Killeen, N., & Ivers, J.-H. (2023). A systematized review of drug-checking and related considerations for implementation as a harm reduction intervention. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 55(1), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2022.2028203
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Greenland, S. (2011). Modeling and variable selection in epidemiologic analysis. American Journal of Public Health, 79(3), 340–349. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.79.3.340
   Google Scholar
• Groves, A. (2018). Worth the test?’ Pragmatism, pill testing and drug policy in Australia. Harm Reduction Journal, 15(1), 12–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-018-0216-z
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Harper, L., Powell, J., & Pijl, E. M. (2017). An overview of forensic drug testing methods and their suitability for harm reduction point-of-care services. Harm Reduction Journal, 14(1), 52. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0179-5
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hawk, M., Coulter, R. W. S., Egan, J. E., Fisk, S., Reuel Friedman, M., Tula, M., & Kinsky, S. (2017). Harm reduction principles for healthcare settings. Harm Reduction Journal, 14(1), 70–70. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-017-0196-4
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Healey, A., Siefried, K. J., Harrod, M. E., Franklin, E., Peacock, A., Barratt, M. J., & Brett, J. (2022). Correlates of higher-risk drug-related behaviours at music festivals in New South Wales, Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 41(2), 320–329. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13404
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hollett, R. C., & Gately, N. (2019). Risk intentions following pill test scenarios are predicted by MDMA use history and sensation seeking: A quantitative field study at an Australian music festival. Drug and Alcohol Review, 38(5), 473–481. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12936
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Howard, D. (2020). Special commission of inquiry into crystal methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants. State of NSW. https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/the-cabinet-office/specialcommissions-of-inquiry/drug-ice
   Google Scholar
• Hungerbuehler, I., Buecheli, A., & Schaub, M. (2011). Drug checking: A prevention measure for a heterogeneous group with high consumption frequency and polydrug use - evaluation of Zurich’s drug checking services. Harm Reduction Journal, 8(1), 16–16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7517-8-16
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Hutton, F. (2022). Drug checking in New Zealand: The 2020 and 2021 drug and substance checking legislation acts. Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, 23(3), 200–206. https://doi.org/10.1108/DHS-03-2022-0016
   Google Scholar
• Ivers, J.-H., Killeen, N., & Keenan, E. (2022). Drug use, harm-reduction practices and attitudes toward the utilisation of drug safety testing services in an Irish cohort of festival-goers. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 191(4), 1701–1710. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-021-02765-2
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Jenkinson, R., Bowring, A., Dietze, P. M., Hellard, M., & Lim, M. S. (2014). Young risk takers: Alcohol, illicit drugs, and sexual practices among a sample of music festival attendees. Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2014, 357236–357239. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/357239
   Google Scholar
• Kennedy, M. C., Scheim, A., Rachlis, B., Mitra, S., Bardwell, G., Rourke, S., & Kerr, T. (2018). Willingness to use drug checking within future supervised injection services among people who inject drugs in a mid-sized Canadian city. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 185, 248–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.12.026
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• King, C., Peacock, A., Wright, C., & Sutherland, R. (2022). Drug checking among a sample of people who regularly use ecstasy and other illegal stimulants in Darwin, Northern Territory, 2019-2021. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.
   Google Scholar
• Krieger, M. S., Goedel, W. C., Buxton, J. A., Lysyshyn, M., Bernstein, E., Sherman, S. G., Rich, J. D., Hadland, S. E., Green, T. C., & Marshall, B. D. L. (2018). Use of rapid fentanyl test strips among young adults who use drugs. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 61, 52–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.09.009
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Lim, M. S., Hellard, M. E., Hocking, J. S., Spelman, T. D., & Aitken, C. K. (2010). Surveillance of drug use among young people attending a music festival in Australia, 2005–2008. Drug and Alcohol Review, 29(2), 150–156. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2009.00090.x
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Maghsoudi, N., Tanguay, J., Scarfone, K., Rammohan, I., Ziegler, C., Werb, D., & Scheim, A. I. (2022). Drug checking services for people who use drugs: A systematic review. Addiction (Abingdon, England), 117(3), 532–544. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15734
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• McCrae, K., Wood, E., Lysyshyn, M., Tobias, S., Wilson, D., Arredondo, J., & Ti, L. (2021). The utility of visual appearance in predicting the composition of street opioids. Substance Abuse, 42(4), 775–779. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2020.1864569
   Google Scholar
• McAllister, I., & Makkai, T. (2021). The effect of public opinion and politics on attitudes towards pill testing: Results from the 2019 Australian Election Study. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(4), 521–529. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13211
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• McCrae, K., Tobias, S., Tupper, K., Arredondo, J., Henry, B., Mema, S., Wood, E., & Ti, L. (2019). Drug checking services at music festivals and events in a Canadian setting. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 205, 107589–107589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107589
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Measham, F. C. (2019). Drug safety testing, disposals and dealing in an English field: Exploring the operational and behavioural outcomes of the UK’s first onsite ‘drug checking’ service. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 67, 102–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.11.001
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Measham, F., & Simmons, H. (2022). Who uses drug checking services? Assessing uptake and outcomes at English festivals in 2018. Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, 23(3), 188–199. https://doi.org/10.1108/DHS-02-2022-0008
   Google Scholar
• Measham, F., & Turnbull, G. (2021). Intentions, actions and outcomes: A follow up survey on harm reduction practices after using an English festival drug checking service. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 95, 103270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103270
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Murphy, S., Bright, S. J., & Dear, G. (2021). Could a drug‐checking service increase intention to use ecstasy at a festival? Drug and Alcohol Review, 40(6), 974–978. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13259
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Northern Territory Tourism. (2019). Northern territory’s tourism industry strategy 2030 report. Northern Territory Government. https://www.tourismnt.com.au/system/files/uploads/files/2022/2030_Strategy_full_report%20ONLINE.pdf
   Google Scholar
• NSW State Coroner’s Court. (2019). Inquest into the death of six patrons of NSW music festivals. State Coroner’s Court of New South Wales. https://coroners.nsw.gov.au/coronerscourt/download.html/documents/findings/2019/Music_Festival_Redacted_findings_in_the_joint_inquest_into_deaths_arising_at_music_festivals_.pdf
   Google Scholar
• Olsen, A., Baillie, G., Bruno, R., McDonald, D., Hammoud, M., & Peacock, A. (2023). CanTEST health and drug checking service program evaluation. Australian National University.
   Google Scholar
• Olsen, A., Wong, G., & McDonald, D. (2022). Music festival drug checking: Evaluation of an Australian pilot program. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1), 127–127. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00708-3
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Page, R., Healey, A., Siefried, K. J., Harrod, M. E., Franklin, E., Peacock, A., Barratt, M. J., & Brett, J. (2022). Barriers to help‐seeking among music festival attendees in New South Wales, Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 41(6), 1322–1330. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13479
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Palamar, J. J., Fitzgerald, N. D., Keyes, K. M., & Cottler, L. B. (2021). Drug checking at dance festivals: A review with recommendations to increase generalizability of findings. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(3), 229–235. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000452
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Piatkowski, T. M., Neumann, D. L., & Dunn, M. (2023b). ‘My mind pretty much went to mush’: A qualitative exploration of trenbolone in the performance and image enhancing drug community. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42(6), 1566–1576. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13656
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Piatkowski, T. M., Puljevic, C., Francis, C., Ferris, J., & Dunn, M. (2023a). They sent it away for testing and it was all bunk: Exploring perspectives on drug checking among steroid consumers in Queensland, Australia. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 119, 104139–104139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104139
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ritter, A. (2020). Making drug policy in summer-drug checking in Australia as providing more heat than light. Drug and Alcohol Review, 39(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13018
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Rose, C. G., Kulbokas, V., Carkovic, E., Lee, T. A., & Pickard, A. S. (2023). Contextual factors affecting the implementation of drug checking for harm reduction: A scoping literature review from a North American perspective. Harm Reduction Journal, 20(1), 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-023-00856-0
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sande, M., & Šabić, S. (2018). The importance of drug checking outside the context of nightlife in Slovenia. Harm Reduction Journal, 15(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-018-0208-z
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Santamarina, R., Caldicott, D., Fitzgerald, J., & Schumann, J. L. (2024). Drug-related deaths at Australian music festivals. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 123, 104274–104274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104274
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Scott, I. A., & Scott, R. J. (2020). Pill testing at music festivals: Is it evidence‐based harm reduction? Internal Medicine Journal, 50(4), 395–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.14742
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sherman, S. G., Morales, K. B., Park, J. N., McKenzie, M., Marshall, B. D. L., & Green, T. C. (2019). Acceptability of implementing community-based drug checking services for people who use drugs in three United States cities: Baltimore, Boston and Providence. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 68, 46–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.03.003
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Southey, M., Kathirgamalingam, A., Crawford, B., Kaul, R., McNamara, J., John-Leader, F., Heslop, J., & Pit, S. W. (2020). Patterns of ecstasy use amongst live music event attendees and their opinions on pill testing: A cross sectional study. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 15(1), 55–55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-020-00295-1
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• State and Territory Alcohol and Other Drug Peaks Network. (2019). Position statement on drug checking (including pill testing). https://sandas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/02012020-AOD_PN_PillTesting_DrugChecking_PosPaper_Final.pdf
   Google Scholar
• Turris, S. A., Jones, T., & Lund, A. (2018). Mortality at music Festivals: An update for 2016-2017 – Academic and grey literature for case finding. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 33(5), 553–557. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X18000833
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Valente, H., Martins, D., Carvalho, H., Pires, C. V., Carvalho, M. C., Pinto, M., & Barratt, M. J. (2019). Evaluation of a drug checking service at a large-scale electronic music festival in Portugal. The International Journal on Drug Policy, 73, 88–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.007
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Valente, H., Martins, D., Pinto, M., Fernandes, L., & Barratt, M. J. (2023). A longitudinal study of behavioural outcomes following a visit to the Boom Festival 2018 drug checking service: individual and group level results. Drugs, 30(4), 373–382. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2022.2072187
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Van der Linden, N., Koning, R. P. J., van der Gouwe, D., Ventura, M., & Measham, F. (2022). Challenges, policy and politics in drug checking: Reflections of the TEDItorial team. Drugs, Habits and Social Policy, 23(3), 289–302. https://doi.org/10.1108/DHS-10-2022-0037
   Google Scholar
• Vumbaca, G., Tzanetis, S., McLeod, M., & Caldicott, D. (2019). Report on the 2nd Canberra GTM pill testing service. Harm Reduction Australia. https://www.harmreductionaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2nd-Pill-Testing-Pilot-August-2019.pdf
   Google Scholar
• Wallace, B., van Roode, T., Pagan, F., Phillips, P., Wagner, H., Calder, S., Aasen, J., Pauly, B., & Hore, D. (2020). What is needed for implementing drug checking services in the context of the overdose crisis? A qualitative study to explore perspectives of potential service users. Harm Reduction Journal, 17(1), 29–29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-020-00373-4
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar