A drug-testing pilot programme is set to launch at festivals in Ireland this weekend.
Operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Safer Nightlife programme will allow festival attendees to use a "back of house" drug-testing service in order to help identify any concerns and assist authorities with issuing any necessary warnings. The scheme will launch at this weekend’s Life Festival.
The programme was first trialled at last year’s Electric Picnic festival, where a number of high-strength ecstasy tablets were identified. HSE subsequently warn attendees of the danger with many of them containing around two times the recommended adult dose, according to authorities.
The HSE has issued assurances that it will be working alongside the An Garda SÃochána (the Irish police) to ensure that testing areas at festivals are safe spaces for people to talk about drugs and get them tested without consequences.
Find out more about the HSE’s Safer Nightlife programme here.
