HSE to test illegal drugs at Electric Picnic in Stradbally

Samples of illegal drugs are to be tested by a team from the Health Service Executive at this year’s Electric Picnic in Stradbally. 

The HSE Safer Nightlife Harm Reduction Programme returns to Electric Picnic 2025 this weekend. The service includes free and confidential ‘back of house’ drug checking to identify current drug trends and help reduce harms for people who use.

Festivalgoers can visit either of the two drugs.ie tents (located in the Electric Arena and Hendrix Campsite) or medical spaces where they can surrender drugs for analysis. These are non-monitored safe spaces where people can discuss a range of issues and submit substances to the HSE for analysis.

Initially piloted at Electric Picnic in Laois, the programme is now in its fourth year at the festival. It is the first of its kind in Ireland, combining harm reduction advice with drug-checking results from samples submitted by festival goers.

Over the weekend, 50 trained volunteers will deliver outreach throughout campsites to provide information and support around the issue of drug use, discuss relevant drug market trends and share advice on how people can look after themselves and others at the festival.

Pictured above: An example of an alert issued at the Electric Picnic last year

The HSE tents are health-led settings, which means that the main focus is to help people reduce harms. Festival goers are invited to discuss any concerns about the project directly with teams at the event. The teams can explain how the service works, answer any queries and offer reassurance for people’s concerns.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said:“As Minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, I want to remind people that the safest option is to avoid illicit drugs. However, for those who choose otherwise, please do not hesitate to seek help from the HSE services that offer non-judgemental support and help to those who may need it.

The drug market is constantly evolving, and new and more dangerous substances are constantly emerging. The HSE’s back of house drug testing initiative is very beneficial in identifying drugs that are in circulation and responding to the dangers they present.  I want to thank the HSE, An Garda Síochána, laboratory staff and volunteers for their work. They are to be commended for the time and commitment they give to this initiative,” she said. 

Minister Murnane said the response to emerging drugs trends will continue to evolve with a view to preventing harmful drug and alcohol use as well as improving evidence based treatment services. 

HSE National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services, Professor Eamon Keenan, said “the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme is the first of a kind in Ireland where people can receive harm reduction and public health advice which has been informed by real time information about drugs in circulation. 

We have identified that this project not only benefits the public, but it is also a valuable asset to onsite medical services. Last summer, we worked with medics to identify MDMA pills which were leading to increases in seizures. Upon analysis, we could then alert the public and discuss in our harm reduction interventions,” he said. 

Prof Kennan said “we remind people that it’s always safer not to use drugs at all and people can have unexpected or serious reactions due to personal factors. Despite this, we recognise that substance use occurs across nightlife and festival settings and acknowledge the need for the HSE to continue to adapt new forms of harm reduction supports.”

According to HSE Emerging Drug Trends Project Manager,  Nicki Killeen, “without this project, we would have no Irish data on MDMA purity, which has been increasing year on year since we began. These results help us identify trends and tailor how we deliver harm reduction to people at events.”

She said  “people come to us to submit samples for a range of reasons. Often people will come before they use to ensure that there is no risky adulterants in circulation. We can then help that person and others who may have the same drug. Over the last four years of this project, we have issued alerts on high-strength MDMA linked to medical emergencies, 3-CMC being sold as cocaine without people knowing, and cases of 100% pure cocaine - which is very rare but can lead to extreme medical situations or fatalities. As well as this, through our emerging trends work in community settings, we have also issued alerts on synthetic opioids sold as heroin and benzodiazepines.”

She noted the alerts are only possible due to the assistance of the community and those submitting samples. 

“We are observing new psychoactive substances appear in the UK and throughout Europe and are very interested to identify if these trends are currently occurring in Ireland. We would encourage people to chat with our teams and consider submitting a small amount of substances for analysis.

Following a successful pilot phase, the HSE recognises the need to expand the project to identify drug trends on an annual basis. The HSE are hopeful that clear recommendations in this area are included in the forthcoming drugs strategy,” she concluded.