The HSE will introduce a new drug testing service at this year’s Electric Picnic festival, which could help save lives.
The new monitoring system will be the first of its kind in the country, giving out "real-time information" about drugs detected at the festival. It works with people being able to submit drugs anonymously into a "surrender bin" in a tent at the festival.
If a dangerous drug is detected, the HSE team at the festival will alert concertgoers. Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead in addiction services said the pilot project is being trialled for research and monitoring purposes to inform health-led responses.
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He said: "We are currently very concerned about the emergence of new psychoactive substances and high potency substances which pose a threat to health. This project will provide us with vital information that we otherwise can’t access in real time.
Prof Keenan added: "While this is a progression, the HSE messaging will remain clear, it is safer not to use drugs at all. For those who choose to, they should still follow the practical steps recommended by the HSE to reduce the harms.”
According to Prof Keenan, the HSE will issue a "series of health information" on social media before and during the event. He said: "I encourage the public to follow drugs.ie and engage with our teams at Electric Picnic. It is important to note that our results will only be representative of what is submitted and this will not guarantee the safety of drugs across the drug market.”
The new system will also allow HSE medics to analyse the drugs discovered and prepare for emergencies. Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic said: “Essentially this is Electric Picnic being a good citizen. The law remains that drugs are illegal and that will remain so at Electric Picnic.
"But we are committed to doing everything we can to make people safe and this process adds to that safety in the knowledge that drugs exist in all aspects of society and we welcome the HSE’s proactiveness in addressing the issue," he added.
The new initiative is being supported by the Department of Justice and An Garda Sicohana. The HSE led "surrender bin" does not grant amnesty from arrest or prosecution for those found in possession of controlled drugs at the event and normal legislation and Garda enforcement plans apply.
Electric Picnic will be held in Stradbally in Co Laois and it runs for three days starting on Friday 2 September.
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