The HSE has identified an MDMA pill double the strength of an average dose at Electric Picnic.
The pill was described as a “purple punisher pill” and contains 246mg.
The HSE advised all festivalgoers to get medical help if they feel unwell after using drugs.
“It’s safer not to use drugs at all,” it said in its Drug Risk warning.
“All MDMA has risk, you can’t be sure of the contents or purity.
“Treat all products with caution, start low, go slow, keep cool and avoid mixing.”
The @HSElive has identified Purple Punisher Pills which contain approximately two times the average adult dose.
Please exercise caution. Visit https://t.co/FG9Bv3jUWJ
#ReduceTheHarm pic.twitter.com/MuWv4V1Bcg— Electric Picnic (@EPfestival) September 1, 2023
The HSE’s on-site drug testing team returned to Electric Picnic this year to identify dangerous drugs in circulation at the festival.
It also introduced five surrender bins around the Stradbally location.
They can be found near the main stage and at the Jimmy Hendrix and Janus Joplin campsites.
HSE Emerging Drugs Trends Project Manager Nicki Killeen previously told Newstalk surrender bins are at three of the drug testing tents as well as the medical service tents.
“These are safe spaces for people to come and get health intervention, to come and chat to the staff there and should they choose, to surrender the drugs,” she said.
People walking through Electric Picnic Festival in Stradbally, Co Laois, 01/09/2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo“We want to emphasise that message that we are working really closely with local and national Gardaí to ensure we can have this operation.”
The HSE has already collected drug samples at the ‘Life’ and ‘Body & Soul’ festivals this year.
Electric Picnic got underway yesterday, September 1st, and runs until Sunday night.
You can find more information about the HSE's harm reduction measures here.
