Drug checking services

In February 2023, the Queensland Government announced support for the introduction of drug checking services in Queensland.

Drug checking is a voluntary, free and confidential harm reduction service that engages people intending to use substances in a brief health intervention combined with results of chemical analysis of the substances intended for use. The aim of drug checking services is to reduce risks and harms. Service staff never tell someone that drug use is safe.

To facilitate the introduction of drug checking services as a new service type, Queensland Health has developed Requirements for drug checking services in Queensland (PDF 940 kB). These requirements set expectations and provide guidance, and apply to all providers establishing and delivering drug checking services, regardless of funding source or model. This includes a requirement for approval under the Medicines and Poisons (Poisons and Prohibited Substances) Regulation 2021 and engagement with key Queensland agencies before commencing service delivery.

Drug checking services have been delivered for more than 50 years in more than 20 countries. The implementation of drug checking services in Queensland is based on evidence and existing models of drug checking services in other jurisdictions, including event-based and fixed-site pilot services in Canberra as well as established models in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and Europe. Drug checking services also provide timely and useful information about potentially dangerous substances that can be part of public health warning systems.

Queensland Health is also establishing a statewide monitoring framework for all drug checking services and will evaluate initial state funded service deliver to inform models and implementation in Queensland.