A drug testing service will return to Wānaka twice before the year ends and the organisation behind it hopes to hold more testing clinics across Queenstown Lakes throughout 2025.

KnowYourStuffNZ is a volunteer-run, community-focused organisation providing confidential drug checking and harm reduction advice across Aotearoa.

Its free, discrete clinics - endorsed by health services, NGOs, and NZ Police - allows people to find out whether their drugs have any unexpected ingredients in them before consumption.

“Since 2015, we’ve supported safer nights out and events nationwide by helping people understand what’s in their substances and make informed decisions,” a KnowYourStuffNZ spokesperson told the Wānaka App. 

Thanks to support from Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), it has a series of clinics coming up across Queenstown Lakes, including three in Wānaka.

Its next Wānaka clinic will take place from 5pm-9pm on Friday November 14 at the Lake Wānaka Centre, while a second clinic is scheduled at the same location on December 28, 10.30am-4.30pm.

A third clinic is scheduled for Wānaka in March.

KnowYourStuffNZ, which delivers the clinics, says its services help reduce drug-related harm before it happens.

The spokesperson said KnowYourStuffNZ’s work reduces drug-related harm before they happen and helps event organisers, emergency services, and local authorities keep their communities safe. 

“Around 80 percent of our clients report changing their behaviour to lower risk alternatives after checking their substances,” they said.

QLDC has supported a handful of previous clinics in Wānaka over the last three years - and KnowYourStuffNZ hopes to hold even more.

“We're planning to operate on an ongoing basis in the area through next year - dependent on continued funding from QLDC and others,” they said. 

Find more information about KnowYourStuffNZ and upcoming clinics here. 

PHOTOS: KnowYourStuffNZ