HSE warns of high-strength ecstasy and ‘copycat pills’ ahead of District X festival
The HSE has issued a health warning regarding high-strength ecstasy and 'copycat pills' circulating ahead of the District X music festival in Ireland. Harm reduction teams will be on-site to provide drug-checking services to help festival-goers identify dangerous substances.
Why it matters
Public health interventions at music festivals are critical for preventing drug-related fatalities and managing the risks associated with synthetic stimulants.
The HSE is holding its second, and final, harm reduction programme at the District X festival on Saturday and Sunday. Stock image
Young people attending a dance music festival this weekend are being warned about the circulation of high-strength ecstasy and “copycat pills” containing more potent synthetic versions of the drug.
The HSE is holding its second, and final, harm reduction programme at the District X festival on Saturday and Sunday.
The event is set to attract up to 25,000 people from across the country and from both sides of the border.
It is being held at Palmerstown House and Estate, in Co Kildare, about 20 miles south of Dublin city.
The HSE issued two alerts at the Electric Picnic festival, held in Co Laois at the start of the month, highlighting high-strength products and 3-CMC, a synthetic cathinone, being sold as MDMA crystals and powders.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in