HSE will carry out drug testing at this years Electric Picnic

As part of an ongoing ‘Safer Nightlight’ programme and drug reduction campaign.

The HSE have announced that an anonymous drug testing service will be available at this years Electric Picnic.

HSE-trained volunteers have already been in attendance at other Irish festivals this summer, giving advice on how to reduce the risks involved with drug use and assisting in emergencies, according to RTÉ News.

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead in addiction services told RTÉ that the programme will facilitate the identification of anonymous substances which are surrendered either in a designated HSE surrender bin or discarded and brought to the HSE testers by Gardaí.

The substances can then be analysed by a team to identify specific harm or high potency.

Professor Keenan told RTÉ:

We can then get that message out via social media, via festival promoters to everyone at the event and warn them of the harm of these substances.

He added that he believes the programme could “save lives”.

The HSE’s aim is for the pilot project to be rolled out at other festivals and nightlife venues, as a way of  improving the responses to emerging drug trends and to reduce drug-related harm.

Header image via Shutterstock 

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