The NSW Drug Checking Trial at Music Festivals aimed to reduce the risk of serious drug-related harm by providing music festival attendees with free, confidential drug checking and tailored, face-to-face harm reduction interventions.
The 12-month trial operated at 12 festivals in metropolitan and regional NSW. The service provided 1,846 people with drug checking and harm reduction advice, and a total of 1,475 drug samples were tested across the trial. The service created new opportunities for peer-led harm reduction, as around 70% of service users had never discussed their drug use with a health or harm reduction professional. Satisfaction levels were high, with over 99% of users rating the overall service as very good or good.
The service strengthened the existing drug surveillance and early warning system in NSW by increasing the availability of timely information on drugs in circulation. Findings with high potential to cause harm were communicated to festival patrons, festival staff and the public. The trial was delivered through collaboration between multiple NSW Government agencies and people with lived and living experience, demonstrating the value of partnership approaches in supporting public health and harm reduction.
The 2026 Keeping People Healthy Award is proudly sponsored by The University of Sydney
