The Sydney Morning Herald logo

Schoolies

Advertisement
Schoolies gif

Pill-testing has been banned from schoolies. Here’s what teens really think about it

Last year, 27 drug samples showed up at pill-testing services at schoolies. This year, drug takers will have to chance it.

  • Stephanie Felesina

Latest

A public health alert circulated by Queensland Health this week confirmed 5-cyano-isotodesnitazene (isotocyanozene), a rare synthetic opioid, had been detected in a toxicology test and powder sample in south-east Queensland. It is the second person to die from a nitazene in a week.

Dangerous drug alert issued after second Queensland death in a week

As Schoolies and festival season approach, experts fear the proliferation of synthetic opioids will claim more lives.

  • Courtney Kruk
Queensland Health issued a public health alert after n-pyrrolidino protonitazene and protonitazene, potent synthetic opioids, were detected in toxicology and tablet samples in south-east Queensland.

Bear-shaped pill kills person weeks after LNP shut down testing

The alert issued by Queensland Health described the heroin-like synthetic opioid as a very strong substance that “can produce life-threatening toxicity in small amounts”.

  • Courtney Kruk
WA Police had to deploy the riot squad to deal with out-of-control schoolies on Rottnest Island over the weekend,

‘Arrests likely’ as police investigate multiple Rottnest Island assaults during ‘juvie week’

Superintendent Dave Dench of Fremantle Police said many of the teens did not have any adult supervision on the island, and some were only 13 years old.

  • Rebecca Peppiatt and Holly Thompson
Pill testing has been in place for the first time this year at schoolies on the Gold Coast.

LNP casts doubt over future of pill testing at schoolies

Just 27 tests have been conducted so far at schoolies, equating to $8000 per test, says Queensland’s health minister.

  • Cameron Atfield
Zac Ristevski (white shorts) and Roman Abelseth at Brighton beach.

‘Hectic and loose’: Towns brace for impact as schoolies celebrations kick off

Schoolies are booking accommodation up to two years in advance to party at some of the most sought-after destinations.

  • Alex Crowe and Madeleine Heffernan
Advertisement
Posters for Brisbane’s first permanent pill testing site CheQpoint spotted in Fortitude Valley. Similar signage will be seen around the Gold Coast.

Pill-testing will be a Schoolies first. Here’s what parents and kids should know

Gold Coast school-leavers will have access to a free and confidential drug-testing service from Saturday, with advocates saying the initiative could be life-saving.

  • Courtney Kruk
Schoolies enjoying a pool party at the Hilton. School-leavers have been gathering on the Gold Coast for about half a century.

Schoolies are ditching the week-long binge, but some still have regrets

Data shows nine in 10 attendees engaging in alcohol-free activities and more using zero and low-strength alcohol to avoid excessive binge-drinking.

  • Courtney Kruk
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli visits the Upper Mt Gravatt Police Station on his second day in the job.

Cautious Crisafulli in day-two rethink of LNP’s plan for schoolies

The new Queensland Premier will now “take some advice” about the LNP’s previous vow to scrap pill-testing services at schoolies amid concerns from doctors.

  • Matt Dennien
Schoolies enjoying a pool party at the Hilton. School-leavers have been gathering on the Gold Coast for about half a century.

‘Tacky’ Glitter Strip has lost some of its Schoolies shine

There’s nothing wrong with young people letting loose and having a good time. But maybe it’s a good thing that some of the shine has buffed off Schoolies on the Gold Coast.

  • Felicity Caldwell