Christmas is done, and it's now on to the hot days, dusty fields and substance fuelled festivals.

Every year, the same question around pill testing is asked. Some say it saves lives and others think it normalises pill-popping, while others argue it is promoting illegal drugs. 

The government has now pumped $59,000 into the research of drug testing this summer.

One festival where drug testing occurs is Rhythm & Vines. Director Kieran Spillane told Tim Dower that they don't approve of patrons using drugs at the festival.

He says that though they have intensive search procedures, drugs do slip past the security guards. 

"We do everything we can within the law to mitigate potential harm."

He says that they do not run any drug testing operations themselves, but are seeking further evidence on the matter.

"We see drug testing as a positive, and we see it as a further additional tool to deliver a secure event and see all these young people get home safely."