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THE HSE HAS issued advice for Irish festivalgoers following the deaths of two young people at a UK festival last week.
It is warning young people to think about their health and avoid using drugs if they experience mental or physical health problems.
The BBC reported on Sunday that two people died after falling ill at a festival in Hampshire, England.
People are being asked to look after themselves and look out for their friends during the festival season.
“We are aware that there have been deaths and hospitalisations at festivals in the UK recently associated with the use of illicit drugs. We are also aware that there are high dose batches of ecstasy or MDMA in circulation,” Dr Eamon Keenan, HSE Clinical Lead for Addiction Services said.
“With this in mind as the festival season begins, we want to make people aware of our harm reduction information around drugs. Harm reduction benefits people who use drugs, their families and the community.”
Dr Keenan also issued the following advice:
Tony Duffin, CEO of Ana Liffey Drug Project, added: “Using illicit or unknown drugs always carries risks, and it is safer not to use drugs at all. Recent tragic deaths in the UK highlight this all too clearly.
“We know that it is safest not to use ecstasy or MDMA, but we also know that over the summer some festival-goers will choose to use such drugs. We want everyone who goes to a festival this summer to come home safely.
If you do choose to use drugs – inform yourself first. Harm reduction works, it could save your life or the life of a friend.
In relation to the use of ecstasy and MDMA, the HSE said that it is always safer not to use them, but if someone chooses to do so, to follow the below advice:
Public consultation
The government has launched a public consultation into the possession of illegal drugs for personal use.
The public is being asked its views on how effective current laws are and what alternatives could be considered.
Currently, it is an offence to carry any amount of a banned substance, and people who are caught can face prison sentences depending on the amount and if they have offended before.
The government’s current drug strategy aims to move towards a more health and care-based approach to users. A working group was set up in November and will report back within the year.
People are being asked to fill out a questionnaire on their views on the matter, while a series of Town Hall meetings have been arranged by the Ana Liffey Drug Project.
More information on safe drug use can be found at www.drugs.ie or by calling the HSE Drug Helpline on 1800 459 459.
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Seems like this is going to become a regular occurrence, surely these people know exactly what they are doing, legislation is seriously required…………
@Julie: Agree they know what they are doing, but already have laws and legislation regarding the use of drones near airports and other locations. The people doing this just don’t care.
@Julie: as I said in the previous event… they need a mechanism to stop it. It’s already illegal. Ireland has plenty of laws, enforcement is lacking.
@Richard: good drones can’t fly in restricted areas, they literally land. But cheap ones with no GPS can
@Richard: It’s the DAA’s responsibility. They have bird scaring processes on site. Time to start drone watching now.
@Dave Harris: unfortunately cheap clones of brand name drones like DJI are readily available and there are a lot of 5tup1d people around
@Dave Harris: Maybe drones without GPS should be banned or heavily regulated then.
@Tomo: Totally agree, flight safety for commercial airlines far outweighs the ‘amusement’ of toy drone enthusiasts.
Obviously the little guy got a quad off Santa and now for his birthday his delightful family bought him a drone. Took 10 months from Alibaba but arrived just on time .
@Murph11: this is exactly it. The law unabiding citizens of Ireland.
@Murph11: a fresh batch of m0r0ns, allowing the lowest common denominator to dictate. There needs to be more gene splicing with particular people.
Good luck waiting for sleepy Eamo to spring into action
You are surely not expecting Eamon Ryan to do anything are you? You have to wake him up and remind him where he is first.
A major crackdown on these muppets is long overdue. Putting the safety of flights and their passengers at risk is a cowardly act.
Pellet gun. Job done.
@Brian Costigan: Shotgun. More chance of hitting it.
@Brian Costigan: shotgun you mean
Far right nut job no doubt.
I wish media would stop reporting these events, sadly leads to more copycat events.
Shoot them down. People will think twice then
@Kevin O’Brien: they will only buy twice. This would be a badge of honour for the m0r0ns and their drones.
Are they sure it’s not a Chinese Spy balloon. Where are the photos?.
@Padraig: Here is your solution DAA. You can thank me later.
@Padraig: a bargain at just under 11 grand in fairness! Often have had to fork out 15 or 20 grand for one!
I might be off the mark here, but I could see this issue being the fault of airlines pulling out of here altogether if it persists.
@Declan Moran: that’ll never happen. There are drone incidents all over the world, The drone industry will suffer way before the airline industry does.
Why are they not shot down .
Hans, bubby, I’m your white knight,
We need to get them birds of prey that are trained to take them down.
Ask the UN for ground to air missiles or use a pop gun . They can not be that hard to hit. Overthinking this, I think.
Get the American Air force to shoot them down as spying balloons
have your say