Electric Picnic: Warning issued about double strength ecstasy at festival

The HSE has issued a drug warning to Electric Picnic festivalgoers as it cautioned that an ecstasy tablet with two times the average dose had been identified.

It said the on-site lab had identified the Mybrand purple skull MDMA as a cause for concern.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is running a pilot drug testing scheme at Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois this weekend.

The HSE said “Higher strength equals high risk. Its important for people to follow harm reduction if they use MDMA. Start low, go slow and leave at least two hours before considering to take more.”

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Under the pilot, testers will examine the chemical make-up of drugs that have been submitted anonymously to designated drop-off receptacles to gain a better understanding of the current drug trends.

If particularly dangerous substances are found to be in circulation at the event, the team will communicate this to attendees through social media and other means.

Drug testing could be used during the night-time economy in order to minimise harm, the Minister of State with responsibility for drugs has said.

Speaking at the festival, Frank Feighan said the Electric Picnic testing will be used as a pilot scheme, which could then see it being introduced elsewhere.

“I think there is encouragement to maybe use it during the night-time economy and in other places where people may choose to take drugs. It just shows that all the various agencies are working together and collaborating together to get around the legal system. It’s been quite an interesting journey,” he told The Irish Times.

“We’ll wee how this pilot scheme works first of all, but there is a very innovative approach by the Department of Health, the HSE and An Garda Siochana. This is the way forward.”

Mr Feighan said health authorities do not want people to use illegal drugs, “but for those that do, we want to ensure it’s as safe as possible”.

“This is trying to get a way around the law. All various stakeholders have worked together to get a mechanism in place that if you choose to use drugs, there will be a safety aspect,” he added.

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Despite the pilot testing scheme, there is no amnesty for individuals who are caught with illegal substances.

However, Eamon Keenan, the HSE’s clincal lead for addiction services, said gardaí will not be in these medical tents or at the drug surrender bins to monitor who is using them.

“What is concerning us is a narrative that’s been on social media over the last week, to say that you’ll be arrested if you go into these tents; the gardai are watching them,” he said.

“I would like to reassure that the gardaí are not going to be in the medical tents, they’re not going to be in the HSE tent unless there’s a public order offence and they’re not monitoring them. The narrative going out is a concern for us because it might put off people coming into medical tents if they feel unwell.”