March 18th, 2026Final Festival Confirmed For Pill Testing Trial

The state government’s pill testing trial saw record demand at the recent Pitch Music and Arts festival.

It tested more than 670 samples from more than 570 attendees.

Importantly, staff had more than 350 health-focused conversations about the risks of drug use.

One community notice went out after the service detected dimethylpentylone in two samples.

Dimethylpentylone is a synthetic cathinone and a potent stimulant which creates an increased risk of harm when mixed with MDMA or taken in large amounts.

It comes as Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has announced the last event of the mobile pill testing implementation trial – Shadows of Wonderland on 1 May.

The service will provide attendees of Shadows of Wonderland with free and confidential health advice to help them make safer, more informed choices.

At the festival’s conclusion, findings from the 18-month trial will inform the final and permanent pill testing model.

To date, the mobile pill testing service has:

• tested more than 2,400 samples
• engaged in more than 1300 harm reduction conversations
• issued five notifications for potentially dangerous substances to rapidly warn festivalgoers through social media and event signage.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Pill Testing Service fixed site in Fitzroy continues to experience high demand.

In the first six months, it has tested more than 2,300 samples and provided personalised harm reduction advice to more than 1,300 people.

The fixed site service will operate with extended hours on Thursdays and Fridays until the end of the trial period.