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Reduce the harms at festivals

For many people festivals are the highlight of the summer. Here at Drugs.ie, we want your festival experience to be as safe as possible and one to remember for all the right reasons.

Not everyone will use substances at festivals and it is always safest not to use drugs at all. However, we know that drug use takes place across nightlife and festival settings and we want to raise awareness of the current risks and encourage people to reduce the harms.

2025 drug trend update on MDMA and ketamine 

We are concerned about MDMA and ketamine markets which are different to the past

• See our MDMA update here
• See our ketamine update here 

The HSE Safer Nightlife Programme and ‘Back of house’ drug checking this summer 

This summer we will provide ‘back of house’ drug checking at Electric Picnic and DX events to help us monitor drug trends in circulation. This service works by people surrendering drugs in bins so the HSE can conduct analysis and warn the festival if extra risky drugs are in circulation. Find out more about this work here

Bins will be located in the Drugs.ie and medical tents at Electric Picnic and DX events. Harm reduction teams will be available onsite to offer you information, support and merchanise (re-usable water bottles, ear plugs, lip blam, tote bags, condoms and lube).

Find our volunteers on outreach in purple and pink high vis vests or in the Drugs.ie tent.

• Follow our Twitter and Instagram @drugs.ie for updates on drug trends, warnings and alerts.
• Irish drug alerts can be found here

How you can reduce the harms at festivals

It is safer not to use, if you do:

• Tell your friends if you decide to use drugs at the festival: Try to have one friend who doesn’t use and be with people you trust.
• Avoid using alone, stick together and make sure no one is left alone. Pick a meeting point, let security know if your friend is missing 
• Be in the know before you go: Follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts (Drugs.ie) for updates on drug trends, warnings and alerts. Our drug monitoring page will also be updated throughout the summer.
• Plan to take less: Your tolerance may have changed if you stopped using drugs for a while.
• Start low and go slow, take a small test dose. Pace yourself by taking a small amount and leaving time between use can help you identify how you are reacting to the substance. If you don’t react as expected avoid taking more
• Leave the mixing to the DJ: Avoid mixing drugs, including alcohol and prescription medication. This can increase your risk of becoming unwell or experiencing a drug emergency. Remember, alcohol can increase the risks with all drugs. MDMA could interact negatively with some medications such as antidepressants. See our information on mixing drugs here.
• Keep cool and stay hydrated: Sip water but don’t drink over a pint an hour as drinking too much water can be dangerous and lead to a salt imbalance in your body. Take breaks from dancing and give yourself time to cool down.
• Know the signs of drug emergency: Signs could be physical or mental. Signs of a stimulant overdose can include overheating, pains in your muscles (legs, arms), a bad headache, confusion or a seizure. If in doubt, get it checked out. See our information on the signs of a drug emergency
• Medics are your mates: Don’t be afraid to get help if you or a friend becomes unwell or feels suicidal after using drugs. Know the location of the medical tent at events and what you would do in case of an emergency. Be honest with medics about what was taken. Your wellbeing is their main priority. .

Be a good bystander - look after yourself and care for others 

• As part of the EU Crisscross project, we partnered with the UCC Bystander Intervention programme to develop a booklet on being a good bysatnder on nights out to help you know when and how to support others.
• Download advice on being a good bystander here. 

Get more information and harm reduction

• Download our festival booklet here with information to help you reduce the harms 
• See our festival drug do's and don't here
• Get harm reduction about different drugs here

For further information about the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme please contact Nicki Killeen, Emerging Drug Trends Project Manager, HSE National Social Inclusion Office. 

E: nicki.killeen@hse.ie or drugs.ie@hse.ie