OPINION: On campus student drug checking, why the fuck not?
CW: This article discusses drug use
Massey Welly is undeniably a campus full of stoners and gearheads. Head to town, any flat party, or just that poor cunt gurning in his room at 3am trying to sleep after a bad batch, it’s pretty obvious. Not only do students often use drugs, they often use bad drugs. I’m not talking meth here, just drugs that aren’t what you thought you were buying, from speed pretending to be gear, synthetics instead of buds, for people new to the uni drug scene or even seasoned gearheads it’s a pretty easy trap to fall for.
This year Vic Uni ran free on-campus drug checking services during O-week. While Massey students were able to participate, why was there nothing on the Massey Campus? The poor bastard who’s just emptied their bank account on cash for a score will NOT be paying for a bus ticket to Vic just to get a check, not to mention the accessibility issue of the Terrace hill for those without transport. It’s not an easy place to walk to when you live in Mt Vic or Newtown, even from halls it’s a hike. For people with mobility issues and a tight budget, the commute between campuses poses an almost impossible task.
Drug checking is an incredibly important and recently legally green-lit practice that lets people who take recreational drugs know what they’re in for. Even if the drugs aren’t what you thought they were, knowing this, and knowing what precautions to take in case of a bad experience are inexplicably more helpful than gambling with substances. This way the choice is in the hands of the individual, not left up to chance.
At the moment, drug checking kits often cost more than the drugs themselves, and are often complicated to use. With testing kits ranging from $10 to over $100, free drug checking services should be an available, accessible event at every campus. They should be at every campus O-Week at least, if not a permanent fixture. So why is Massey behind the ball on this one?
MAWSA Student President Tessa Guest told Massive “I don’t really have any good answers, we just haven’t done it. We did it at Vic because we collaborated [on] our O-Weeks, so it made sense to collaborate [on] other stuff, but we just haven’t.” While yes, it’s commendable that the services were offered at all, drug checking is not something that should be taken at a ‘by city’ approach. Every single university campus in the country should be providing this. Tessa also added “it was kind of the past staff’s responsibility, not ours. We have new staff now, we’re keen, this might be a good reminder for us to do that.” Perhaps next O-Week, or even re-O-Week will see Massey-based testing services. We’ll just have to wait, and hold them accountable if this problem continues under the current staffing.
Finally, on the issue of Vic Uni’s lack of accessibility for some, Tessa seemed to misunderstand a lack of accessibility as a lack of effort on the part of students. She told Massive, “Yeah there’s a hill to walk up, that’s annoying, but if you care, then you probably care enough to walk up a hill. Vic students walk up a hill, everyone has to walk up a hill.” Yes Tessa, we get it, a lot of people can just walk up a hill, but what about those who can’t? Chronic pain sufferers, wheelchair users, or anyone who doesn’t have the time, money or spoons to get halfway across town and back? It’s quite hard to deny that making it easier to access drug checking services for free in a second location will encourage more people to get their shit tested. If you make it accessible for those who need accessibility, you incidentally make it accessible for everyone.
So, to the gearheads and gurners, the ket-fiends and stoners, I ask you this: Have you tested your stuff? If not, why? Too spenny? Too far out? Too complex? Can’t be fucked? Whatever the reason, there’s a way that drug testing can be made a whole lot easier, a whole lot simpler, cheaper and closer, we just have to make sure that Massey knows there’s a need for it. Email MAWSA, let ‘em know why you did or didn’t make it to Vic’s drug testing station. Who knows, maybe next sem we’ll start seeing them on campus. But it’s up to you to make it happen, just as soon as you’re out of that K-hole.
If the content of this article affected you in any way, don’t be afraid to reach out to these support numbers:
Alcohol/Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Lifeline: 0800 543 345 or (09) 522 2999