Osher Günsberg Just Schooled The Anti-Pill Testing Brigade On ‘Studio 10’
"When was the last time you went to a rave Kerri-Anne?"
The Bachelor host Osher Gunsberg has used an appearance on Studio 10 to throw his support behind pill testing at music festivals, telling the panel that a zero tolerance approach to drugs is destined to fail.
The debate about pill testing has been in the news again following the death of a 19-year-old man at the Knockout Games of Destiny dance party in Sydney over the weekend. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian used his tragic death to reiterate her dangerously misguided stance on the issue, telling reporters on Sunday that “we know that pill testing won’t work because it’ll give people a green light to taking substances, which in the end could still kill them”.
But Osher reckons that’s bullshit.
“When will everyone learn that young people are always going to take drugs?” he asked the Studio 10 panel on Monday. “Your grandkids, your kids will take drugs at festivals. It is going to happen. Would you prefer they know what they’re taking?”
When host Kerri-Anne Kennerley expressed scepticism about the practice, Gunsberg pointing out that staff at pill testing tents could also provide drug users with valuable information about the drugs they planned on taking.
“The wonderful thing about having a pill testing tent is that you then have immediate access to the person who already has the intent [to take drugs],” he said. “It’s an opportunity to liais with that person and ask ‘do you know what this is going to do? Do you know how many is too many? Make sure you keep drinking water. Make sure your friends are around you’.”
“And kids are going to listen to that?” scoffed Kennerly.
“When was the last time you went to a rave Kerri-Anne?” Gunsberg shot back.
“Your grandkids, your kids will take drugs at festivals. It is going to happen. Would you prefer they know what they’re taking?” @oshergunsberg shares his take on pill testing following another festival death from a suspected overdose. #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/x79dFmzehU
— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) December 9, 2018
Since the segment went to air, Gunsberg has also started calmly and politely schooling opponents of pill testing on social media.
Just because you never did doesn’t mean others make same choices. Yes it’s illegal, however when/if your kids or their do decide to experiment wouldn’t you prefer they knew what they are doing? pill testing or pill checking has been proven to be a success. https://t.co/Ly63WXLrhU
— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) December 10, 2018
It’s actually got very little to do with upbringing, which is a common misconception about drug use and addiction. https://t.co/cDtqVc7yKL
— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) December 10, 2018
Dan, I’d ask you to consider that not everyone in our community shares your take on it. Enough people make different choices to you that something like pill testing is a valid and caring option. (Because, it IS being made and IS being sold to kids) https://t.co/zr2IOORaNk
— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) December 10, 2018
What a legend.