Music festivals to trial pill testing after drug summit

People will be able to check what's in the drugs they plan to take as part of a trial authorities hope will prevent deaths at music festivals.

NSW will permit a 12-month trial of pill-testing at music festivals beginning in early 2025, a practice some other states have already adopted and expanded.

The results could guide future decisions, but Premier Chris Minns has stressed it's only a trial albeit with a clear purpose.

"To reduce harm and save lives," he said on Thursday.

The premier urged parents to talk to their children and remind them "there is no safe consumption level of drug use", saying no parent wants to be told their child has ended up in an emergency department or worse after attending a music festival.

NSW Police and NSW Health will implement the trial, which will cost more than $1 million to roll-out, and be independently evaluated.

Peer workers will also provide harm reduction advice to help people make informed decisions, while the information gathered could inform drug-harm surveillance to increase the reach and speed of warnings to the community.

The decision follows interim advice from the NSW Drug Summit held in November and December, with a final report due early in 2025.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the interim advice reflected a diverse range of views from experts, frontline workers and people who have previously taken drugs.

"These are complex issues and we will be guided by that which delivers in the best interests of the health of the community," he said.

"There are no silver bullets here but if there are any further steps we can take to keep young people safe this festival season we'll listen to the experts and the evidence."

The trial is about carefully evaluating areas for potential reform, Mr Park added.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley said the trial focuses on harm minimisation for individuals considering personal use.

"Drug supply remains a serious offence and poses a significant risk to the community," she said.

People looking to deal drugs at festivals can expect to be targeted by police and brought before the courts, she added.

The government did not rule out drug-checking services following the deaths of two men after a music festival in October 2023, but pointed to interstate trials and the drug summit, which was not held until more than one year later.

Victoria announced an 18-month trial of pill testing, which also included a fixed-site service near Melbourne nightclubs, in June.

Both trials are due to conclude around the same time.

Queensland and the ACT already have fixed-site drug testing services.