The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Social Inclusion Office launched a multicomponent programme in May 2022 to engage with people who use drugs specifically in festival settings. This involved a media campaign, the development of resources, recruiting and training volunteers, and coordinating outreach teams at three specific festivals: Life Festival, Indiependence (Indie), and Electric Picnic. The aim of the programme was to engage with and support festival attendees in a non-judgemental way on the topic of substance use and related issues that emerge in nightlife spaces.

A report1 published in 2023 noted that throughout the three events, ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, cannabis, and alcohol appeared to be the drugs most commonly discussed with volunteers, often in combination. However, while stimulants remained a dominant theme, feedback identified the need for tailored information on both psychedelics and dissociative-type drugs, with some volunteers requesting more detailed information on these topics to support their roles. The report also noted that festival attendees were often unaware of drug interactions or the dangers associated with consuming substances as part of a polydrug pattern. Consequently, the report authors suggest that the main aim of the programme moving forward should be a focus on supporting the public to minimise the number of substances consumed.

The report also highlighted, based on interactions across events, that it was obvious it was the first time that many young people were being provided with drug information materials and health information on the topic of substance use. One main area of discussion which arose for volunteers throughout the events was the misconception by festival attendees that they would be removed or prosecuted if they accessed medical services following the consumption of substances. At each event, situations emerged for volunteers where they had to support and reassure attendees to access the medical tent when they or a friend appeared unwell following use. In addition, volunteer feedback highlighted the need for drug analysis, with a majority of attendees requesting a drug-testing service.

The report makes a number of key recommendations, which include:

• To establish a festival oversight group with the aim of providing guidance on drug responses and safety in festival settings
• To partner with a minimum of three festivals to deliver ‘back of house’ drug monitoring
• To review placement of volunteer teams and surrender bins at events to maximise engagement based on volunteer feedback
• To increase awareness of the programme through frequent engagement with the public and to develop resources based on the trends identified by volunteers as well as detailed media communication plans and materials to explain the operational and logistical components of a ‘back of house’ drug monitoring system
• To review expansion of harm reduction to wider nightlife settings in partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

1    Killeen N, Corrigan N and Keenan E (2023) The HSE ‘Safer Nightlife’ Programme 2022: volunteer feedback on the provision of harm reduction outreach in Irish festival settings. Dublin: Health Service Executive. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/39205/