POLICE RULE OUT ECSTASY KITS

ECSTASY test kits do not minimise the harmful effects of drugs and would
not be tolerated at dance parties, a police spokesman said yesterday.
Sgt Gill Wilson, of the drugs and alcohol coordination unit, made the
comments after The West Australian reported yesterday that some WA dance
party promoters had expressed interest in bringing the test kits into
WA.

The test kits, which are offered at most events in Victoria and at some
in New South Wales, give partygoers a guide on what is in their ecstasy
pill. Volunteer testers spend between three and five minutes explaining
the test to the partygoer.

Sgt Wilson said WA police supported a harm-minimisation approach to drug
control but the ecstasy test kits were not the right way to go about it.

John Davidson, of testing organisation Enlighten, said he was
disappointed but would not do tests without police tolerance. The
volunteer organisation has prepared a Federal Government briefing paper
asking for a nationwide amnesty.

He said he would like to see Australia eventually use a system similar
to that in Amsterdam where people were able to get comprehensive testing
of drugs at police stations.

Sgt Wilson said the bottom line was that possession of drugs such as
ecstasy was illegal.

He said partygoers and testers could be charged with possession of an
illegal substance if tests went ahead.

"The drug kits at present are not going far enough," Sgt Wilson said.
"You have to show extreme caution."

He said the tests provided information only about the dominant drug in
the ecstasy tablet and would not identify a combination or quantity of
substances.

Mr Davidson said the kits could save lives. He said up to 100,000 people
around Australia used ecstasy at weekends.

A spokesman for Health Minister Bob Kucera said the Minister would not
comment on the issue until there had been community consultation and
police liaison.

It was expected to be a topic for discussion at a proposed drug summit
later this year.

Tim Brown, owner-manager of Connections nightclub and Cabaret Owners
Association president, said nightclubs wanted to separate themselves
from dance promoters.

"We do not condone the use of ecstasy taking or the use of
ecstasy-testing kits," he said. "It is illegal and not in our business
interests."