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MUSIC FESTIVALS COULD be refused a licence to run their events if they don’t provide harm reduction advice to guests under measures set to be discussed at a working group next month.
TheJournal.ie last week revealed that discussions have already begun with labs capable of carrying out drug-testing in a number of locations across Ireland, in a bid to reduce the health risks associated with taking drugs at the events.
On site drug-testing would require a change to existing legislation and is considered a longer-term approach to harm reduction.
Another measure to be examined, however, surrounds the responsibility of organisers for the welfare of their guests, and ways they can proactively engage in harm reduction.
Dr Eamon Keenan, the HSE’s national clinical lead in addiction services, told TheJournal.ie that he will support introducing new regulations that require promoters to provide harm reduction advice to everyone who purchases a ticket.
He said those which did not agree to such a measure should not be granted a licence to host it.
“Going forward, I think promoters should only get their licence – depending on the numbers attending – if they meet a requirement to have HSE emergency management teams involved,” he said.
“We’ll be trying to get that rolled out [as] part of the contract of festivals getting their licences.
We need to get the message to people beforehand, so that requires working with promoters and making sure that the people they are selling tickets to are being provided with harm reduction information.
“They need to use their contact base as a mechanism to get harm reduction information out to them as early as possible, as opposed to on the day when people have already taken substances.
“Let’s not forget if you have a festival of 10,000 people with a stand of two staff members at it there is limited reach. But promoters have all those people beforehand via their emails so they can use that base.”
The HSE launched its latest campaign this summer to encourage festival-goers not to take drugs, and if they are taking drugs, to avoid mixing substances.
They have set up stalls at Boxed Off, Higher Vision, and Body and Soul – where HSE teams are engaging with people on-site and gathering information that will inform discussions in the future.
However, as it stands there are not enough resources to have HSE teams at every event in the country and as promoters have a responsibility for the welfare of their guests, they should be providing their own welfare teams, according to Keenan.
“At the minute we don’t have the resources to send teams to festivals so we can only rely on volunteers that we train up along with the staff from our own offices.
“So we would like to see them source their own teams as a way to do it [and] we would have to be involved in the training part of it because that is important.”
Keenan confirmed he has already been engaging with music events to examine new methods of welfare supports for those taking illegal substances in the lead up to or during the events.
Reputational damage
Some are fearful, however, that if measures such as on-site drug-testing tents are introduced, it could cause reputational damage if the public begins to associate festivals with drug use.
“They are concerned about this,” he said. “They’re saying they are concerned that if they promote harm reduction then they won’t be seen as family friendly, and if they aren’t seen as being family friendly people might be disinclined to go there.”
Keenan said the HSE would support bringing in the skills and expertise of advocacy groups and organisations which are in a position to provide volunteer welfare teams.
The Ana Liffey Drug Project (ALDP) is one group which has for a number years been providing welfare teams to Electric Picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois and Life festival in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Tony Duffin, CEO of the ALDP said it is vital that festivals review and introduce harm reduction measures every year to ensure all attendees are aware of the risks associated with drugs.
“Harm Reduction is not new, it’s been around since the mid-80s and is proven to help reduce drug-related harms,” he said.
“What’s vitally important is that harm reduction is revisited for each and every festival – as there are always festival-goers that need to hear how to manage any drug related risks they may be planning to take.”
He added: “Our welfare team volunteers time and expertise to provide our specialist service. It’s a model used in other countries whereby drug service NGOs work in partnership with promoters, state agencies and other health and welfare providers.”
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If this guy thinks an email campaign is the best way to address the issue, he shouldn’t be referenced as an expert.
@RichieC: he might be on something. I reckon click bait
@RichieC: it the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard another expert so out of touch with reality
They were testing Es in nightclubs in Amsterdam in the 90s ffs.
@Roy O’Rourke: it’s Ireland.. We’ll wait until Uganda legalise cannabis before we do..nevermimd tackling silly issues with regards to pretty safe substances like mdma.
@Chonky Racoon: besides sending a terrible message to young people that taking drugs is ok who is going to be liable if, after using these testing facilities, someone dies?
“The organizers are worried about reputational damage if Festivals begin to be associated with drug taking. “
Are they living in a parallel universe or what?
Stick your injection rooms and test tents back in the stupidity bin. If the muppets want to put muck into themselves why should the Tax payer be at loss for it.
@Mark Mccormack: Why don’t you go back to the stupidity bin Mark?
@Mark Mccormack: that’s exactly the point. If people want to smoke a joint, tax shouldn’t be used to police against it. If people want to take e at a festival, tax shouldn’t be used to stop them. With all the money we would save policing non violent drug possession and all the tax we would collect if we legalised weed, we might even be able to drop USC or raise the tax bands. Let’s get high
@Mark Mccormack: because the tax payer has to pay for the complications. Why not be realistic that it will happen anyway and try to reduce the impact?
@Damien Hawe: Why should the taxpayer have to pay for the complications of taking drugs? If a person wants to take them, they should suffer the consequences. I’d rather pay less tax and spend more on my own life.
@Henry Gaynor: Like it or lump it, that’s how civilised society works. Your taxes also go towards prisons and to the social welfare payments of those convicted of crimes… Are these also areas that you’d rather your taxes didn’t contribute towards?
Is it not time that people take responsibility for their own actions? If you play with fire and all that…….Plus, is it not more of a Police/Garda matter? These drugs are illegal after all.
@Viv Forde: Don’t be talking sense, the liberals will hate it. Personal responsibility is a dirty word for many in Ireland. It’s some one else’s fault you know!
@Viv Forde: the politics of victimisation means that everyone is now a victim & all the bad stuff that happens in the world is the fault of someone else (usually the government).
The HSE are doing such a great job at running our Health Service. Why should they not control all our Festivals as well?
@Niall Griffin: Fair point. And the vast majority of festivals and events don’t rely on the HSE for medical cover and first aid. Instead, this is provided by qualified staff working for voluntary organisations, the HSE don’t have sufficient staff for such cover.
I have a number of family members who have, and continue to work for a medical voluntary organisation and have provided medical cover at multiple festivals and events. While they would never discuss patients they all report excessive drug use being on the increase.
Because that’s the problem!
@Darren Mc Mahon: the irony of making something illegal because it won’t support illegal drug use.
‘The HSE launched its latest campaign this summer to encourage festival-goers not to take drugs’, meanwhile, ‘Jamal Says “Every 60 Seconds In Africa, A Minute Passes”.’
Can there be gun testing at festivals too? Or anything else that’s illegal?
@Stevie Doran: don’t think there’s a problem with guns at Irish festivals.
Guns are designed kill. Compared with
People taking drugs at a festival are, like it or not, only trying to have a good time, not to harming anybody else, why shouldnt they be kept safe? Its Cheaper than dealing with tragedy or medical expenses and the advice they distribute might result in less people using drugs.
As it is They are being criminalised for something that isnt morally wrong.
@john doe: so if they’re so safe what are we keeping people safe from ???
@Eamonn O Connell: Not suggesting drugs are entirely safe. But they can be a lot safer.
@john doe: so these harmless fun drugs could in fact be dangerous and the taxpayers should again pick up the tab for testing them for people who know they are dangerous and are still stupid enough to take em in the name of having a good time. That’s fair !!
@john doe: It is morally wrong to expect taxpayers to pay for the consequences of taking drugs.
@Eamonn O Connell: yes they could be dangerous so testing will allow people not to take the dangerous ones or to take them in a safer way. Thus reducing the higher overall cost to the taxpayer of expensive treatment later. So overall testing will SAVE money for the state which seems to be what you want.
@Henry Gaynor: no more morally wrong to pay for drug testing & treatment than the state to pay for consequences of other dangerous activities that people do for fun like scuba diving or rock climbing.
@john doe: so I’m not allowed bring a gun? But it’s ok to bring illegal drugs because I want to use a good time? What if I want to have a good time with my gun? can I get my bullets tested in case they are duds? I’m portraying the ridiculousness of the/your argument that drugs should be tested at festivals the attendee can skip off into the halcyon sunset and get mad out of it when they get the green light that their yokes are OK to use. What utter crap.
Stop wiping the arses of these kids, let’s make them responsible for their own actions as we were 30 years ago.
@Ian James Burgess: Its pretty naive to think that the issue is constrained to kids…
Don’t worry the insurance industry will close them all anyway.
They must think festival goers are living in the 1920s, they already know the risks of taking drugs and they still take them, if they want to risk their life then let them deal with consequences, all this will do is either stop festivals happening because of lack of insurance, or double the price of an already expensive ticket to cover the drug info and support mayb send your overpaid underworked consultants to festivals
@Karl Charlie: service is provided free as far as I’m aware and involves testing drugs for quality
Such drug safety including drug testing for quality happens elsewhere no doubt saving some lives. I believe some not to keen on such measure in my opinion because it is an admission that the “war on drugs “ is not only a farce but also an abject failure
@Brian Conway: agreed. The continuing prohibition of, particularly, soft drugs, is more about saving face than any sort of sensible or successful policy.
The HSE are doing such a great job at running our Health Service. Why should they not control all our Festivals as well?
DON’T BE A DOPE. DRUGS KILL. If people are too stupid to understand that message they must be right dopes. There is no medical cure for stupidity so we shouldn’t be wasting taxpayer’s money on trying to find one.
@Henry Gaynor: they’re also fun…. A far fetched concept to you it seems
@Henry Gaynor: Far, far less than alcohol. Have you got a beef with that too?
@Henry Gaynor: not everyone who eats brocoli are idiots.. Same way that not everyone who decides to let thier hair down on the weekend with a pretty safe substance as opposed to alcholol are idiots either.. Lack of knowledge and scare mongering does more harm. I agree that we shouldn’t be wasting tax money on alchololics and cigarette addicts. They cost our health care system the most. Hope the factual statement helps you
@Henry Gaynor: The topic is drugs here. My views on alcohol, tobacco, and casual sex are the same. People can do what they like, just don’t be passing the bill to the taxpayer when they run into trouble.
@RichieC: alcohol’s not a drug, it’s a drink.
@STOIC SAVAGE: Playing with your kids is fun. Dancing your heart out to good music is fun. Watching comedy is fun. Surfing is fun. Sharing jokes with your mates is fun. Having a kick about is fun. I could go on and on. Life can be fun without resorting to drugs or other stimulants. Is being an alcoholic fun? Is being a drug addict fun? Is having your knob on fire fun? Is being brain damaged fun? Is dying in agony fun?
@Henry Gaynor: Don’t fret Henry, we’re still on topic. Alcohol is also a drug, it just happens to be a legal one. It also happens to be the most harmful of all. That said, your issue appears to be solely with this potentially becoming a tax burden. With that in mind, can I assume you would be fully supportive of amending our laws to allow these testing units at festivals and otherwise if they were being run privately or via. charity?
@RichieC: People can do what they like once they’re not doing any harm to someone else, be it physically, mentally, or financially. People can drink, smoke, screw, or score drugs as much as they like; just don’t expect the taxpayer to fund any of the costs incurred either before or after indulging. What testing do people need before taking horse tranquilisers for example? Shouldn’t the word horse be enough to tell them it’s not suitable for human consumption. These same people would create uproar if there was a bit of horse meat found in their festival burger but have no issue with consuming horse medicine.
@Damien Hawe:
Alcohol is a drug
1.
a medicine or other substance which has a physiological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body.
@Henry Gaynor: I’m assuming you are referring to Ketamine, which I can also tell you is widely used in medical procedures in humans too. But that’s neither here nor there as you’ve completely sidestepped my question. If it’s not a tax burden, I asked would you support it?
@RichieC: Sorry I digressed. If people pay to get their drugs tested by a private lab or a charity; no problem. Neither the lab nor the charity should receive taxpayer funds though. Better still, why not get pharmaceutical companies to manufacture narcotics under strict standards.
@RichieC: Ketamine is sometimes used as a date rape drug. Why would we want to let anyone bring it to a festival?
@Henry Gaynor: I never said I wanted any of these things at festivals – I’m just being realistic, the reality is they will be there. Its about setting aside personal opinions & reviewing our approach. This initiative is a great starting point as it’s sole purpose is to minimise the risk. Mostly, it’s not the drug itself that is the issue but rather the unknown quantities & various other, potentially lethal, agents that they are cut with.
Services like ‘We Are The Loop’ are a great way to address the dangers first hand with those who are planning to take them. This isn’t about creating a service that promotes drug taking, its about creating a service that opens direct dialog with those who are taking drugs while also minimises the risk of overdosing or taking a potentially lethal cocktail.
And they should have testing no site like others parts of Europe if there going to take is better be safe
The headline is a grammatical nightmare.
The HSE are doing such a great job at running our Health Service. Why should they not control all our Festivals as well?
If someone makes the choice to take something before or during a festival, thats on them, no matter what the consequences. If someone ingests something without knowing the possible consequences, thats on them. Their death is not a tragedy, its misadventure, and im sick of families and friends looking for someone else to be held accountable for the choices and decisions their loved ones make all by themselves. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but there you have it. When i was a teenager in the 90s, all the kids my age were trying ecstasy and i refused because i was cautious enough to be afraid of what happen. Maybe there needs to be more education at school and at home, but to be honest, it wont stop people from being curious, and unfortunately, it only takes one experience with drugs for it to be fatal.
@Pauline Gallagher: You’re right, it does sound harsh
That said I also think you’re missing the point of this article. It’s not about placing blame, it’s about reducing risk. You said it yourself, you refused to follow your friends because you were concerned of the risks. If there was a way of removing the a major part of the risk, is that not a positive thing?
The HSE are doing such a great job at running our Health Service. Why should they not control all our Festivals as well?
@Niall Griffin: you can say that again
Electric drug fest, bring it on. Fack the lot of them. No loss to society. In fact, their demise is a gain for society. Happy days.
@Pat Farrelly: ok thanks for that Hitler
@Kieran O’Donovan: when you make comments like that you are insulting the memory of millions who died thanks to the actions of that lunatic.
Drugs are bad, omkay ?
The HSE are doing such a great job at running our Health Service. Why should they not control all our Festivals as well?
@Niall Griffin: I don’t think your point is getting across…
Couldnt agree more! We are being warned of the dangers of alcohol, be it on the cans/bottles or media, it is still a health warning being issued. The use of illicit drugs requires a similar approach but in practical ways such as that of the provisioning of a drug testing facilities at festivals. Drug testing could potentially save a life! Recreational drug use in general is no phenomenon these days in Ireland so it makes perfect sense to ensure that they are consumed safely. Festival promoters and organisers should be enforced legally to provide such facilities as well as providing harm reduction information and if not, then revoke the licence.
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