New festival safety campaign
A new drug harm-reduction campaign is advising festival goers to leave the mixing to the DJ.
The HSE says don't mix drugs if you take them, stay hydrated and don't be afraid to seek help.
Drugs.ie will have teams at festival sites across the country and says medics are trained to deal with new drug trends.
Dr Eamon Keenan, HSE’s National Clinical Lead-Addiction Services, stressed the risks associated with mixing drugs:
'We are aware that young people mix drugs, and of certain trends related to this, such as mixing cocaine and ketamine.'
'We are also aware that young people are using newer drugs such as 2 CB. Ireland ranks third highest for the use of cocaine in Europe and second for the use of MDMA, after the Netherlands.'
'We are particularly concerned in relation to high potency MDMA and other drugs that are circulating in Europe.'
'We anticipate these trends for festival season, but mixing drugs, even with alcohol, increases your risk of adverse consequences or overdosing.'
'Never mix drugs, and if you begin to feel unwell, do not be afraid to get help and be honest with emergency services about what was taken, they are there to help.'
The health warning is that it is always safer not to use drugs at all.
