Health experts say failure to test drugs discarded in amnesty bins is a wasted opportunity

By Angus Thompson / The Sunday Morning Herald

Harm reduction advocates say the state government's decision to destroy drugs ditched in amnesty bins at music festivals is a wasted opportunity to test the dangerous substances on the market.

The bins - announced late last year - have so far been used at eight NSW events deemed "high risk" by state authorities between December 31 and February 2, including major festivals such as Field Day and Laneway festival.

A response to Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame's inquest into the deaths of six young people at NSW music festivals, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the bins would allow punters to avoid panicking when they see police and dispose of their drugs "without any questions asked".

Ms Grahame said amnesty bins would also give authorities the chance to test the discarded substances and provide information to health providers. Results can also be used to send out real-time alerts to revellers about dangerous drugs that may be present at a music festival.

But NSW Health, which is managing the rollout of the bins, has since confirmed the substances are being destroyed by a waste management company.

"The bins that are being introduced to festivals are amnesty bins only and there is currently no testing performed on the drugs deposited in the bins," a NSW Health spokesperson told The Sun-Herald.