Steve Price has outraged viewers of The Project after arguing with a drug expert about the benefits of pill testing at festivals.
The conservative panellist was slammed on social media as ‘ignorant’ and ‘arrogant’ after arguing with Matt Noffs, a drugs expert with treatment service Harm Reduction Australia.
The bizarre argument came off the back of Australia’s first legal pill testing which took place at the Groovin The Moo concert in Canberra.
‘I could not be more disgusted with Steve Price’s arrogant, know it all, opinion on the testing of illicit drugs. Never tried drugs yet he’s an advocate for not allowing the testing – ignorant, out-dated opinion!’ one mother posted online.
Australia’s first legal pill testing took place at the Groovin The Moo (pictured) concert in Canberra
Noffs took questions from hosts Waleed Aly and Carrie Bickmore before the interview escalated with Price.
‘We know how many young people are out there using drugs like ecstasy, but what are we doing about it?’ said Noffs.
‘In ACT, you’ve got police who are enlightened and want to try a new approach so they were really happy about this as well.’
But Price hit back.
This tweeter argued that pill testing saved lives
This person joked that the Pill testing didn’t save lives so they should have just gone home
This person slams Price for being ‘out of touch’ and argues that evidence is not on his side
‘I’d hardly call police ignoring drug use enlightened but if that’s what you want to stick with, that’s fine,’ he said.
Noffs responded by pointing out that in Price’s generation everyone was ‘smoking dope’ and ‘now it’s ecstasy.’
But the debate really heated up when Price questioned how many people decided not to take their clean drugs after testing.
‘It’s a very confusing question for people who don’t understand the science behind this. The chemists take this away and analyse this. Are you a chemist?’ said Noffs.
‘And sorry Steve, I don’t know how many ‘clean’ illicit drugs you’re taking, but I’ve never found a clean illicit drug on the black market.’
Steve Price (left) and Matt Noffs right have a bizarre argument over pill testing at festivals
This viewer says that while he isn’t for pill testing he thinks the laws aren’t working
The debate between the pair escalated to the point Price said that strict drug laws had worked for him and his children
‘That’s ridiculous, you know I’m not taking any drugs,’ Price replied.
‘You do take drugs, Steve. You might enjoy a beer, but that’s sold over the counter and you’ve got some sort of quality control around it.’
Noffs argued that parents couldn’t stop their children form taking drugs and that ‘it hadn’t worked for a hundred bl***y years.’
‘It’s worked with my children. They don’t take drugs,’ Price retorted.
Noffs then asked Price if he had taken any drugs to which he answered ‘no.’ Noffs called him a liar.
Noffs argued that parents couldn’t stop their children from taking drugs. This parent tweeted that it was an ‘out-dated’ opinion
Only one person at the festival (pictured) was arrested for drug related offences
Over social media the reaction was heated.
‘Steve price is a dinsouar’ wrote one user.
Others called for his resignation.
‘Please get Steve Price off the project. He is an idiot with a chip on his shoulder about EVERYTHING!! I think he just tries to be ornery about anything and everything,’ wrote another user.
‘Just when you think Steve Price of The Project has become less of an ignorant a**hole. Nope. Still an ignorant a**hole,’one wrote.
‘Steve Price is a dinosaur who would probably like to see all drug users imprisoned because that’s worked so well in the past *eye roll*’ added another.
Matt Noffs (pictured) is a drugs expert with treatment service Harm Reduction Australia
The trial was an overall success with a total of 85 substances tested at the music festival.
The two lethal pills were found inside clear capsules and were disposed of immediately and five people used the amnesty bin.
Only one person at the festival was arrested for drug offences, but they were in possession of 18 ecstasy tablets, as well as some powder.
Four other people were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.