Motion Amendment

Motion TitleDrug Testing Schemes - Amendment 1

Motion Amendment TextLeave out all after "this Assembly" and insert: ‘recognises that there are no safe ways of taking illegal drugs; acknowledges the role of harm reduction initiatives in preventing drug-related deaths at festivals and concerts; believes this must complement the existing PSNI approach of identifying, arresting and placing before the courts those involved in the supply of illicit drugs; further acknowledges that the Health Service Executive’s rapid drug checking schemes have operated successfully at events in the Republic of Ireland, such as Electric Picnic, for a number of years, providing warnings to concertgoers on potent and potentially lethal substances; notes the ongoing work between the PSNI, Forensic Sciences Northern Ireland and Queen’s University to develop a rapid drug testing scheme which would enable harmful drugs to be identified and public alerts issued within 24 hours; further notes that we remain the only part of these islands without such provisions; stresses the need for collaboration between the Forensic Sciences laboratory at Seapark, the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland, and the Home Office, in relation to developing the capacity to deliver, and licence, onsite drug testing at festivals across Northern Ireland; and calls on the Minister of Health to confirm when these schemes will be rolled out by his Department in conjunction with the relevant agencies.'

Amendment Number1

Motion Amendment CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Date Tabled to Business Office23/09/2025

Date of Plenary Debate30/09/2025