Drug harm reduction
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:00): (468) My question today is to the Minister for Mental Health. I think we all watched with concern as many festivals and events took place recently over that extremely hot Labour Day weekend. As you are no doubt aware, there were multiple serious suspected drug overdoses and hospitalisations across these events, and tragically one young man has died. In the light of so many drug overdoses at festivals in just these first few months of this year, what will you do to reduce drug harm at music festivals in our state beyond what you are doing now?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:01): I thank Mr Puglielli for his question. At the outset can I offer my condolences to the family of that young man. I cannot imagine the heartbreak that they are dealing with right now, and my heart goes out to the family and the loved ones of that young man. I do want to just caution the member, though, in respect to attributing any cause of death in this circumstance, because it is not for any one of us in here to do that. This is a matter that is being referred to the coroner for investigation, and it is important that we let that process take its course.
Of course the government is very concerned to ensure that our investments and our policy settings are going to have the most impact when it comes to harm minimisation. We have demonstrated that through our record investment in alcohol and drug services right across the state, including a program that I know that the member is very well aware of, DanceWize, which is about making sure that people understand the inherent risks associated with taking drugs but also takes a very educative framework out to our festivals and our major events throughout the year.
I think it is really important to note also that extreme heat can be an additional risk factor, and the Department of Health does issue from time to time, where they see it as appropriate, warnings about heat stress and how that can interact with taking particular forms of illicit drugs.
As the member is aware, the government has consistently indicated that at this point in time we are not looking to change our settings, but we have sought additional advice from the Department of Health, particularly in light of some of the issues that have arisen during this festival season. We will continue to take that expert health advice about how we can do everything we can to minimise the risk for all Victorians. We want people to be able to participate in our very rich festival season, but we want them to do it safely, and we will continue to be really focused on how best to achieve that outcome.
Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:04): I thank the minister for her response. The minister referred to DanceWize in her contribution just now, an organisation that was very active during the weekend I referred to in my substantive question. By way of supplementary, I begin by acknowledging that DanceWize do amazing work, mainly off the back of volunteers. They need a significant funding boost if they are to be able to do more. While we are talking DanceWize, I have seen this personally at music festivals: people will approach DanceWize volunteers, asking them if they can test their drugs. I know that you have been seeking advice on these matters, as you referred to in your contribution just now, so in relation to this advice, when will you report back and offer this government’s response?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:05): I thank Mr Puglielli for his supplementary question. In relation to the funding that the government provides the DanceWize program, it is quite significant. It is $21 million for that program, so I do not think it is completely accurate to describe it as a volunteer-based program. It does of course have really dedicated volunteers involved in the program, but it is also provided with support from the government so that it can undertake its important work. In terms of the question around when we will report back on the advice, I am not in a position to give any indication about a time frame today. What I can say is we understand the seriousness of the issues. We are working assiduously with our department on those matters, and we will take that advice. When the government has considered that advice I will provide the response accordingly.