Calls for Pill-Testing Review After Tragic Death at Pitch Music Festival in Victoria

Following the tragic death of a 23-year-old man at the Pitch Music and Arts Festival in Victoria, there are mounting calls for the Victorian Government to reassess its stance on pill-testing. The young man was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne from Mafeking near Ararat after a suspected drug overdose but tragically passed away.

Reports indicate that two other men in their 30s and 40s were also hospitalized in a stable condition at East Grampians Health Service due to suspected overdoses. The festival, which was taking place amidst dangerous heatwave conditions and extreme fire danger, was subsequently cancelled.

The Victorian Greens have been vocal in urging Premier Jacinta Allan to reconsider the government’s position on pill-testing in light of this recent tragedy. Spokesperson Aiv Puglielli emphasized the need for immediate action, stating that delaying pill-testing further could have fatal consequences.

Expressing concern over the circulation of untested drugs, the Greens highlighted the potential dangers, especially in combination with extreme weather conditions. Puglielli emphasized that the implementation of pill-testing at music festivals is critical to preventing further overdose-related deaths.