CANBERRA’S pill testing service will extend its operation hours in the lead to a major music festival.

CanTEST won’t have a pill testing site at the festival, but it’s clinic in Civic will be open for extended hours ahead of the Spilt Milk festival which is being held on November 26 at EPIC.

Australia’s first fixed-site pill testing service CanTEST opened in July and has tested more than 294 samples.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said extending the service’s operation hours will give more people the opportunity top have their pills tested.

“Despite the best efforts of these organisations, a festival-based service was not able to be established for Spilt Milk,” she said.

“Extending the hours of the free and confidential service at CanTEST will enable more people to access the service, potentially saving a young person’s life.

“The ACT Government does not condone the use of illicit drugs, the safest option remains not to take drugs, and this will always be our advice to the community.

“However, we know from experience around the world and right here in the ACT that people will use illicit substances at music festivals.”

The extended hours at CanTEST will be:

•            November 24 10:00am – 4:00pm

•            November 25 3:00pm – 9:00pm