HTID festival to offer onsite drug checking as part of NSW trial
20 Jan 2026
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to keep festivalgoers safer while recognising the reality of drug use at events.
HTID, set for Saturday 24 January 2026 at Sydney Showground, will be the tenth festival to take part in the 12-month trial.
Festival patrons can bring a small sample of a substance to be tested on site by qualified health staff. The service is anonymous and free, and rapid testing provides information about what is in the sample, including strength or potency where possible. Attendees also receive guidance on ways to reduce risk if they choose to use the substance.
Trained peer workers will be available to offer confidential advice, discuss risks and provide information about additional support services.
While illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW, the trial aims to reduce harm and give people better information to make safer choices.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the service helps people make informed decisions, but it does not remove all risk.
“This trial provides people with information about substances, allowing them to avoid dangerous drugs, discard high-risk samples and make safer choices,” Dr Chant said.
“Our priority is reducing harm and keeping people safe.”
NSW Health is working with HTID organisers and other stakeholders to ensure the service is delivered safely and effectively.
Festival organisers said the health and wellbeing of attendees is their top priority.
“Onsite drug checking has been a valuable addition to our safety measures,” a spokesperson said.“Giving free and confidential guidance in a non-judgmental way supports better decision-making.” We are proud to support this NSW Health initiative and grateful to the volunteers who make it possible.”
The NSW drug checking trial will run at up to 12 festivals and continue until the end of February, when it will be independently evaluated. The program follows recommendations from the NSW Government’s Drug Summit in December 2024, which suggested trialling drug checking at music festivals.
More information about the trial is available on the NSW drug checking trial website. Advice for young people on staying safe at festivals can be found on the Your Room website.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
Source: NSW Health
