The HSE is urging parents to educate their children about the dangers of so-called ‘pink cocaine’ and other drugs.
Drug use tends to increase during musical festival season and the HSE is keen to educate people about the dangers of doing so.
On The Claire Byrne Show, HSE Clinical Lead for Addiction Services Professor Eamon Keenan said they are particularly concerned about so-called ‘pink cocaine’.
“It sounds wonderful; it's got a lovely bright pink colour,” he explained.
“But the one thing that it isn't is cocaine; we haven't found any cocaine in the pink powder that we've been analysing.
“What we've been finding is some ketamine, some MDMA, some cathinones - which are other stimulant drugs and a mixture of these.
“In one sample of the pink powder, we found five different drugs.
“So again, our message in relation to this is you don't be you cannot be aware of the contents.”
Professor Keenan continued that the HSE strongly discourages anyone from taking drugs, but recognises that many do so anyway - despite the significant health risks.
He urged people to make themselves aware of how they can mitigate the risks of drug taking if they do so.
“Our overall message, obviously, in terms of everybody going to the festivals is it's much safer not to use drugs at all,” he said.
“Our harm reduction message is targeted to people who do make a decision to use drugs - but it's safer not to use drugs.
“But with the pink powder, start low, go slow and if you're feeling unwell, get to the medics as soon as possible.”
Professor Keenan added that it is “really important” parents are informed about drugs so they can talk to children about the dangers they pose.
“That's one of the things that I think is important,” he said.
“One of the things that we have on our Drugs.ie website, we have parental webinars where we're informing parents about the contents of these new substances that are emerging, because there is a really dynamic drug market at the minute.
“It is changing rapidly, not just in this country, but right across Europe.”
Possession of drugs remains a criminal offence in Ireland and those caught by Gardaí can be brought before the courts.
Main image: Members of Gardaí on patrol in Dublin city centre. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
