NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ruled out introducing pill testing at festivals after five deaths at music events in the state in the span of a few months.

Her government has instead introduced a tough new licensing regime for festivals, adding 14 events to a "high risk" list.

But Mr Alexander said governments must be willing to trial every available option.

"I think you should be open to trialling everything, if it works great, if it doesn't, get rid of it," Mr Alexander told AAP.

"So under that philosophy, if you have to do pill testing, as much as I don't think it's a good idea, you could say well 'yes you could try it'."

Mr Alexander said education and open conversation around drug taking was important.

"You've got to understand how dangerous drugs are, but if you do take them, you've got to be honest so you can get the help," he said.

NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann said the premier's decision to rule out pill testing was "costing people's lives".

"When we are talking about solutions to save lives we should have all options on the table because the current hardline approach is clearly not working," Ms Faehrmann told AAP in a statement.

A NSW Coroner is examining the deaths of five young people that died at festivals between September 2018 and January 2019.

It's thought MDMA was a factor in each case.

Ms Berejiklian has been contacted for comment.

Australian Associated Press