Strawberry Fields festival will be the next major event to host an onsite drug checking service as part of the New South Wales (NSW) drug checking trial, further bolstering harm reduction measures for festivalgoers. This initiative marks the fifth festival to participate in the 12-month NSW drug checking trial. Scheduled to take place from Friday, November 21 to Sunday, November 23, 2025, in Tocumwal, southern NSW, the festival aims to provide a safer environment for its attendees.
The free and anonymous drug checking service will enable festival patrons to bring small samples of substances they intend to consume for analysis by qualified health staff. Through rapid evaluation, patrons will receive information about the contents of their samples, including potency where possible, based on available technology. Additionally, they will receive advice on reducing risks if they choose to consume the substance.
Harm Reduction Measures at the Forefront
Trained peer workers will be on hand to offer tailored guidance about the risks, confidential support, and information about additional support services. While illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW, the trial acknowledges the reality of drug use at music festivals and seeks to mitigate associated risks.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr. Kerry Chant, emphasized that the service is intended to help individuals make informed decisions to reduce drug-related harm, though it is not a guarantee of safety.
“This trial aims to inform individuals about substances, allowing them to avoid dangerous substances, discard high-risk drugs, make safer and more informed choices, and potentially avoid serious health risks,” Dr. Chant said. “Our priority is to reduce harm and keep people safe.”
Festival Organizers Welcome the Initiative
Strawberry Fields General Manager Vicky Keeler expressed strong support for the initiative, viewing it as a significant addition to the festival’s harm minimization efforts.
“We are committed to creating the safest possible environment for everyone who attends our events,” Ms. Keeler said. “Drug checking is an important step forward in harm reduction, giving patrons access to free, professional advice that can help them make more informed decisions. Partnering with NSW Health on this initiative reflects our ongoing focus on safety, care, and wellbeing for our community.”
Background and Future Implications
The NSW drug checking trial will encompass up to 12 music festivals through to the end of February next year, after which it will be independently evaluated. This development follows the NSW Government’s Drug Summit, which concluded in December 2024. The Report on the 2024 New South Wales Drug Summit recommended a trial of music festival-based drug testing as a priority action.
According to experts, drug checking services have been shown to reduce harm by providing users with critical information about the substances they intend to consume. Such services have been successfully implemented in various countries, including the Netherlands and New Zealand, where they have contributed to a reduction in drug-related incidents at festivals.
As the trial progresses, its outcomes could influence future drug policy in NSW and potentially across Australia. If successful, the initiative may pave the way for broader implementation of harm reduction strategies in other contexts, reflecting a shift towards more pragmatic approaches to drug use.
Further information about the NSW drug checking trial can be found on the official NSW Health website.
