Do the providers have experience in delivering these services?
At Beyond The Valley, we’re committed to providing a safe and supportive space for all festival-goers. That’s why we’ve partnered with some of the most experienced and trusted organisations to deliver harm reduction and drug checking services at the festival.
Who are the providers?
Each of our partners brings unparalleled expertise in their field, ensuring that your health and safety remain at the heart of your experience:
The Loop Australia: Experts in drug checking, The Loop operates the CheQpoint drug checking service in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. With a proven track record, they’ve successfully delivered services at the Earth Frequency Festival and for the Queensland Government’s Schoolies response in 2024.
YSAS: With over 26 years of experience, YSAS supports young people in overcoming challenges with drugs and alcohol, improving mental health, and leading fulfilling lives.
Harm Reduction Victoria: The team behind DanceWize has been at the forefront of peer education and harm reduction, empowering festival-goers with vital information and support at music events across the state.
Melbourne Health: A healthcare leader with over 175 years of expertise, Melbourne Health’s Addiction Medicine Team provides acute and ongoing care for people experiencing drug-related harm.
Metabolomics Australia: Based at the University of Melbourne’s world-class Bio21 facility, this team specialises in analytical chemistry and quality control. Their work with the Victorian Government’s RAPID project ensures cutting-edge chemical analysis.
Each of these organisations brings a wealth of knowledge, care, and professionalism, so you can feel confident in accessing these services and focusing on what matters—celebrating music, connection, and self-expression in a vibrant, safe environment.
To complement this team, we also have an in-house Crowdcare team, whose primary job is to care for you. All Crowd Care staff have some sort of background in health and caring, meaning they’re well-equipped to help out with a range of questions. They assist people who are unwell, have lost their way, are too cold or too hot, upset, or need some support.
Why Beyond The Valley?
Beyond The Valley is one of Victoria’s biggest festivals, with around 35,000 people coming together to celebrate music, art, and connection. Many of our attendees are aged 18 to 30, and we want to ensure everyone has access to resources that prioritise their safety.
By offering drug checking at BTV, we’re providing a harm reduction service to help people stay informed and make safer decisions during the festival.
Untitled Group and its festivals, including Beyond The Valley, have always worked hard to prioritise the health and safety of our community of attendees. BTV has a decade-long history of working with authorities to deliver safe events. We are constantly exploring ideas, trialling new innovations and bolstering proven initiatives that increase the safety of festivalgoers, so they can have a good time and also make it home safely.
Beyond the Valley, alongside YSAS, The Loop Australia, Harm Reduction Victoria and The Victorian Government, will now offer patrons an extra layer of support by helping patrons to better understand the risks and make informed choices around drug use. We look forward to working alongside our community, health agencies, the Allan Government, and the wider festival industry to ensure this initiative reaches and supports the right people.
What hours will the service be operational at BTV?
This service will be available to our BTV attendees each festival day, between 1pm and 7pm.
How long will the test take?
The checking process is quick and efficient, with up to 30 samples able to be tested each hour.
When you drop off your sample, you’ll usually be asked to return in about 1 hour to collect your results. Depending on how busy the site is, it might take more or less time than this, but we’ll do our best to keep things moving smoothly.
What substances can these machines check?
Most drugs in pills, capsules, powders, crystals, or liquid form can be tested.
Some substances like plants, or diluted solutions may not be suitable for checking.
Will the tests check for purity?
Only high-dose MDMA will be tested for purity. MDMA has been prioritised because it is commonly found at festivals, and high-strength pills have been linked to harm in the community.
Plans to expand purity testing to other substances are being developed for future events.
How does the service work?
- Arrival & Introduction
You’ll be greeted by a team member who will explain the process, wait times, and share health information. - Sample Drop-Off
Provide a small sample, which will be photographed, labelled with a unique ID, and sent for analysis. - Lab Analysis
Chemists analyse the sample. If anything unexpected or harmful is found, senior staff are alerted immediately. - Health Check-In
While you wait, you can chat with a team member about your health and access extra support if needed. - Results & Advice
Results are shared in a private conversation, along with harm reduction advice tailored to your sample and situation. - Secure Disposal
You’ll have the option to safely dispose of any remaining substances.
The service is confidential, non-judgmental, and focused on keeping you informed and safe.
How long does it take?
For most people, the process takes up to hour from start to finish. If extra support is needed, it might take a little longer—but our team will always keep you updated on wait times so you know what to expect.
We’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on enjoying your festival experience.
What is Harm Reduction Information?
Harm reduction information is all about helping you stay informed and safer. When you use the drug-checking service, you’ll get:
- Details about your sample: What’s in it, including any harmful substances, poisons, or drugs of dependence.
- Safety advice: Tips on the risks of using the substance and how to reduce potential harm.
- Support info: Guidance on accessing health services or other support if you need it.
It’s all about giving you the knowledge to make safer choices.
What happens if someone overdoses at the festival?
Festivals like Beyond The Valley already have solid plans in place to handle emergencies, including overdoses. The drug checking service is fully connected to the existing emergency management systems, which involve the festival team, Victoria Police, and Ambulance Victoria.
Your safety is always the top priority, and all teams work together to respond quickly if something happens.
Will the service tell me if it’s safe to take my drugs?
No, the service won’t tell you that your drugs are ‘safe,’ ‘good,’ or ‘pure.’ That’s not what it’s about.
What the service does is give you information about what’s in your sample and offer advice on ways to reduce the risk of harm. The goal is to help you make informed choices and avoid needing emergency medical help.
What happens if a dangerous substance is found?
If a dangerous or high-risk substance is identified, the service provider will immediately follow agreed processes to share this information with the festival organisers, medical teams, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, and the Department of Health. Everyone works together to respond quickly and appropriately.
The bottom line? We’re all here for the same reason: to make sure everyone has a great festival and gets home safely.
Will I need to use my ID?
No, you will not need to show ID or disclose any personal information at the drug checking site.
Police
How will police operate during the festival?
We’re working closely with Victoria Police to make sure everyone at BTV feels safe and supported. The local police commander is involved every step of the way, from planning to the festival itself.
Police will still enforce drug laws, but the focus is on keeping things fair and prioritising public health and safety. Most importantly, no one should feel deterred from using harm reduction services like drug checking.
Will it still be illegal to use or deal drugs near the service?
Yes, the usual laws around possession, use, and supply of illicit drugs still apply outside or near the service.
The legal changes only cover how the drug checking service operates. However, police can choose not to charge someone in the area if they’re using the service to prioritise safety and health.
Are there safeguards to stop police from targeting people using the service?
Yes. The new legislation allows police to use discretion and choose not to charge someone found with an illicit substance within the vicinity of the drug-checking service, provided the amount is less than a trafficable quantity.
How this is managed will ultimately be guided by Victoria Police to ensure people can safely access the service.
Will police be present at the service?
No, police will not be present at the drug-checking service.
The Department of Health has worked closely with Victoria Police and will continue to support them in creating operational guidelines to ensure the service runs smoothly.
Will people be arrested for using the service?
No, you won’t be arrested for using the drug-checking service—it’s completely legal to access while you’re in the designated area.
Outside the service, drug possession laws in Victoria still apply. To keep things safe and fair, exemptions are in place for anyone at this service area, as long as the amount is under a trafficable quantity and stays within the service area.
We’re working closely with Victoria Police to make sure these arrangements are clear and don’t discourage anyone from accessing this important harm reduction service.
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