An all-island focus on drug harm reduction: Public Health Agency partners with HSE in warning ahead of festival season

Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement
PHA and HSE issue drugs warning

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and Health Service Executive (HSE) have issued a joint warning for people who may 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. 

With thousands of people expected to travel across the border in both directions to attend concerts and festivals this summer, the agencies have highlighted 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 help ensure consistent, evidence-based harm reduction information reaches concert-goers.

Stephanie Hanlon, Regional Lead for Substance Use at the PHA, said: “The collaboration with the HSE is a significant step in having a coordinated harm reduction response to substance use across the island. Working collaboratively to identify emerging drug trends, we can better communicate the risks and help keep people safe.

“Over the coming months people will travel north and south for festivals and gigs. These occasions should be memorable for the right reasons and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and get home safely. While it's safest not to use drugs at all, we know that some people may choose to use substances at festivals and events, so 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 taking substances along with alcohol, can be unpredictable and dangerous. The risk can increase further when people are in an unfamiliar setting such as an outdoor concert that they’ve travelled to, or they get detached from their friends.

“Small decisions like drinking water, not mixing substances and looking after our friends can make a big difference to staying safe.’’

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. 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.”

  • 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 PHA and 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, often called ‘pink cocaine’, rarely contain cocaine and often include a mixture of ketamine and new drugs, making it unpredictable. 
  • Information provided to the PHA showed testing of pink powders containing MDMA, ketamine, caffeine and nitazines in circulation.
  • Drug potency and contents will be different on drug markets across Europe.

The campaign is informed by new HSE research findings which capture the attitudes and behaviours of nightlife participants across the island of Ireland. Findings from engagement with the Four Four dance magazine community highlighted the significance of festivals, with 35% of respondents planning to attend over five festivals during the summer months.

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. 

For further information, advice and support visit www.DrugsAndAlcoholNI.info 

Resources:

  • Support services for those affected by drugs and alcohol use can be found at www.DrugsAndAlcoholNI.info
  • You, your child and drugs – This leaflet provides advice and guidance for parents on how to approach the issue of illegal drugs with their children – www.YourChildandDrugs 
  • You, your child and alcohol – This leaflet provides advice and guidance for parents on how to approach the issue of alcohol with their children – www.pha.site/AlcoholAdvice