HSE warns of ‘risky’ drug market as ‘nearly double’ MDMA doses found in pills at Electric Picnic

The HSE will provide harm reduction services as part of its Safer Nightlife Programme at the District X festival in Johnstown, Co Kildare this Saturday.

The national clinical lead of HSE addiction services Professor Eamon Keenan said higher doses increase the risk of dying as a result of taking the drug.

"We know the MDMA market is evolving and pills and powders/crystals now contain more MDMA than in the past. At Electric Picnic 2024, half of the MDMA pills we tested contained over 200mg of MDMA," he said.

"This is nearly double the average adult dose of which ranges between roughly 75mg to 125mg. Higher doses of MDMA increase the risk of a person overconsuming leading to a drug emergency and a possible fatality.

"Given the current drug market situation, it is crucial for the public to engage with harm reduction services so they are supported to reduce harms."

A total of 26 volunteers will be at District X providing harm reduction services at two Drugs.ie tents. There will be a drug checking service on-site to identify trends in circulation from 2.30pm to 9pm on the day of the event.

"Our advice remains the same: it is always safer not to use drugs. For those who choose to, we encourage them to engage with us when they arrive at the event, follow our practical steps to help reduce the harms and consider submitting a sample of your drugs to help look after not only yourself but the wider District X community," Prof Keenan said.

The HSE has advised those attending District X to be aware of the signs of a drug emergency. An emergency can start as a high temperature, headache or migraine, feeling unwell, confusion, anxiety or pain in the arms, legs or shins.

District X festival promoter Martin Smyth said: "While drug use is prohibited at all our events, we adopt a non-judgmental approach and apply a harm reduction policy.

"We have a longstanding relationship with the HSE to promote harm-reduction messages and provide services at our events.

"We emphasise that the HSE drug harm reduction tents are safe spaces to discuss issues and submit drugs for analysis, and we encourage our attendees to engage with the HSE."