The inaugural Schoolies pill-testing facility is explored.

As the Gold Coast prepares for the influx of tens of thousands of school leavers for the annual Schoolies celebrations, there is a new addition to the event that is causing quite a stir. For the first time ever, there will be a pill testing site set up in the heart of Surfers Paradise, but its future is uncertain.

The Queensland Police have made it clear that they will have a significant presence at Schoolies this year, with Craig Hanlon stating, "We're going to have lots of police on the ground. You will not be able to move in the Schoolies precinct without seeing a police officer." This is in response to the concerns surrounding the safety of the event and the potential for illegal activities.

However, one area that the police will not be patrolling is the pill testing site. Cameron Francis, the site operator for Cheqpoint, explained, "We'll test the sample, we'll find the result really quickly, and then we'll explain the risks of the drug to that person." This harm-reduction initiative aims to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for young people to get their drugs tested and receive information about the potential risks.

But even with the potential success of this initiative, its future is uncertain under the newly elected state government. Youth Minister Sam O'Connor stated, "It will go ahead this year, but our ongoing position is that we don't support it. There is no safe way to take drugs." The government's stance on this issue is clear, but it remains to be seen if pill testing will continue to be a part of Schoolies in the future.

As preparations are being made for the event, a dedicated team of doctors and nurses is also gearing up for the expected 100 presentations a night at the emergency treatment centre during Schoolies. Dr Jeff Hooper, the lead for the centre, shared, "The typical presentations that we see are drug and alcohol intoxication, we see lots of minor injuries." He also reassured attendees, "Stay safe, look after your mates, if you're in trouble or you're concerned, come to us, it's a non-judgmental space." This team will be there to provide support and medical assistance to anyone in need.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress, highlighting the importance of providing accurate and informative coverage of events like Schoolies. With the combination of law enforcement, harm-reduction initiatives, and medical support, the goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees during this exciting time.

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