The HSE and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland have issued a joint warning for people who use drugs at festivals and in nightlife settings across the island of Ireland this summer. The public health bodies are collaborating to raise awareness of current drug trends to help reduce drug-related harms and increased risks associated with people travelling to events.

Speaking about the collaboration, Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE’s National Clinical Lead for Addiction services, said: “This is the first time that both of our health agencies have worked together on an all-island basis around harm reduction responses in the night-time economy. As more people travel for festivals and dance events, it’s important to recognise that the drug market has changed and you may come in contact with different drug trends in different locations.’’

With thousands of people from across the island of Ireland expected to travel across the border in both directions to attend festivals this summer, the agencies highlight the increased risk at this time due to high strength MDMA, as well as new drugs that are in circulation such as pink powders. Both agencies are working together to ensure consistent, evidence-based harm reduction information reaches these audiences.

Nicki Killeen, HSE Emerging Drug Trends Manager, said: “The HSE actively monitors emerging drug trends and high strength drugs are an increasing concern across the island of Ireland. This is also a concern for people travelling to Northern Ireland, the UK and throughout Europe.

Over 40% of MDMA (pills, powders and crystals) analysed by the HSE Emerging Drug Trends Lab last year contained over twice the average adult dose (over 200mg). Adding MDMA powders to drinks carries extra risk and is a concern for the HSE.

Healthcare professionals have raised concerns around the risk of serious bladder damage and is linked to long term use of ketamine.

If it’s pink, stop and think; pink powders ‘pink cocaine’ rarely contain cocaine and often include a mixture of ketamine and new drugs, making it unpredictable.

Drug potency and contents will be different on drug markets across Europe.

Our message is simple: while it is safer not to use, we encourage those who choose to use to take time to understand the risks, know what supports are available and know where to go for help wherever you are.

Research

The campaign is informed by new national research findings which capture the attitudes and behaviours of nightlife participants across Ireland.

Findings among the Four Four dance community highlight the significance of festivals, with 35% of respondents planning to attend over 5 festivals during the summer months. Over half (54%) of respondents from the Republic of Ireland reported that they will be travelling abroad for events, including to Northern Ireland.

The research also found that 89% of respondents stated that drug use occurs within their peer groups when travelling to attend festivals.

When asked about new drug trends in nightlife, 73% identified pink powders as the main emerging issue, while 27.5% reported that cathinones (mephedrone, 3MMC) are now used in nightlife settings, reflecting patterns across the rest of Europe.

MDMA and Ketamine were the substances most common discussed among the community, alongside the emergence of ketamine analogues.

Stephanie Hanlon, Joint Regional Lead for Substance Use at the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland added: ‘’Festivals and gigs should be memorable for the right reasons and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and get home safely. It is of course safer not to use drugs at all, however we know that some people may choose to use substances at festivals and our priority is to help reduce the possible harm.

“You never know for sure what you may be taking and the danger increases if you mix more than one substance. It’s also easy to forget that alcohol itself is a powerful drug and mixing any drugs, including mixing with alcohol, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Small decisions like drinking water, not mixing substances and looking after our friends can make a big difference to staying safe.’’