Queensland will become the first Australian state to roll out pill-testing sites at music festivals, in a move that’s been applauded by the medical community.

Pill testing will allow users to have illicit drugs chemically tested at events in Brisbane for potentially dangerous substances and chemicals.

The Opposition has slammed the idea.

Vice-president of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Bruce Willett, says illicit drugs are often manufactured in dodgy, dangerous backyard operations.

“We are having young people, really young people tragically die at a fairly regular rate around the country often because of dodgy contaminants in these pills, but sometimes its because they take a cocktail of things,” he told Neil Breen.

“So it’s really about harm minimisation.”

But he said it is also a touch-point to speak to the young person about taking drugs, and help them understand the risks.

Neil says it may save lives, but he also wants police at music festivals and raves to catch dealers.

“Believe me, I am so anti-drugs. Totally anti-them, but I am also a realist.”

Press PLAY below to hear the interview in full