The HSE is warning of double energy MDMA tablets circulating at Electrical Picnic.
t is a part of a brand new venture to permit pageant goers to anonymously take a look at the medicine they’re utilizing.
In a submit on social media tonight, the HSE stated a purple cranium pill that was examined had double the same old dose “which is a trigger for concern”.
“Please train warning and bear in mind it’s safer to not use medicine in any respect,” it stated.
The nameless and real-time drug testing trial is happening at this yr’s Electrical Picnic pageant in Co Laois.
It’s the HSE’s first drug monitoring programme to analyse medicine to offer real-time data in a pageant setting.
It’s the first time unlawful medicine will likely be examined exterior of authorised state services and is a part of the Authorities’s ‘Safer Nightlife’ hurt discount marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, the programme is a restricted type of drug testing generally known as “again of home”.
It won’t enable attendees to have medicine examined and get them again with head to head recommendation, which charities resembling The Loop have been doing in UK festivals.
As a substitute, scientists within the designated tent will likely be testing medicine which are voluntarily and anonymously surrendered by individuals in a “give up bin”.
This might embrace somebody who has had antagonistic reactions to a substance and willingly provides up the remaining.
The testers are additionally able to analyse substances of concern recognized by medics.
The HSE says this can then assist inform them what substances are in circulation and likewise the energy of the medicine, and it’ll situation this data to the general public.
Pageant-goers will likely be inspired to take a look at Medicine.ie earlier than and through the occasion, however the HSE stated the reside outcomes will solely be consultant of what has been submitted.
Launching the plan final month HSE Nationwide Medical Lead in dependancy providers, Prof Eamon Keenan, stated he’s “very involved concerning the emergence of latest psychoactive substances and excessive efficiency substances which pose a risk to well being.”
He added: “This venture will present us with important data that we in any other case can’t entry in actual time. Whereas it is a development, the HSE messaging will stay clear, it’s safer to not use medicine in any respect. For individuals who select to, they need to nonetheless comply with the sensible steps beneficial by the HSE to cut back the harms.”
