Know Your Stuff will be bringing its free, confidential drug checking service to the University of Auckland to help keep students safe during Re-Orientation week and beyond. The pop-up service will be taking place from 11am-3pm on Monday 19th July, at the Caretaker’s Cottage in Albert Park.
The University’s Student Wellbeing Team are supporting this event. “During their time at the University of Auckland, many students will be exposed to illegal drugs and some will decide to use them,” comments Carley Fletcher, Health Promotion Adviser from the team. “We’re pleased there are ways to equip students with the knowledge they need to assess risk and have a safe, healthy, and successful time at University.”
Know Your Stuff has been covered by Craccum previously, including an article by Naomii Seah and Bethany Langton on dodgy MDMA circulation in the summer festival scene. “The current model of drug testing at festivals excludes sections of the population that can’t afford $500 for a festival ticket,” noted Know Your Stuff Media and Partnerships lead Yvonne Booyson at the time. “Ideally, there would be drug testing available in fixed locations. 24/7.”
Further data published by Know Your Stuff revealed “only 68% of all the samples checked at events this summer were the substance that people expected.” Eutylone, a harmful stimulant, was found in over 350 samples.