The state government has rejected the initiative, with Premier Mike Baird labelling it as “ridiculous”.

Pill testing involves scientific analysis and informing people whether what they have bought is a placebo or highly toxic.

Speaking as a member of the community, Dr Max Graffen said he did not condone illicit drug use.

“It’s more of a social issue then a medical one,” Dr Graffen said.

“It is a common problem in society and it is not going to go away any time soon.

“The principal focus should be harm minimisation.

“If it reduces the chance of death or harm, then I’m in favour of it.”

Dr Graffen said a pill testing station would provide an opportunity for health workers to offer public education and counselling at the coal face.

Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire backed Premier Mike Baird’s hard line stance on the issue.

“No one in their right mind would back it,” Mr Maguire said.

“It provides a service for drug peddlers.

“Avoid the risk, don’t pop pills.

“Whichever way you look at it, illegal drugs in someone’s system is detrimental to their well-being.”

One of the doctors behind the controversial push, Dr Alex Wodak, is one of the trailblazers behind the Kings Cross injecting rooms in Sydney, which opened nearly 15 years ago.

The injecting rooms have been lauded as the catalyst that cleaned up the notorious party capital of the state’s capital.

Labor Party Wagga branch secretary Tim Kurylowicz, who has worked on the Kings Cross frontline in a homeless advocacy group, said something needed to be done to prevent people dying.

“The current plan of saturation policing has not been effective,” Mr Kurylowicz said.

“(Dr Wodak) has saved hundreds of lives and millions of dollars. We should listen to him.”