Initial findings from HSE Safer Nightlife Programme 2023

We provided the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme at Life Festival, Body and Soul and Electric Picnic Festival this summer. This Programme involved harm reduction outreach and ‘Back of house’ substance analysis led by the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre. A number of drugs are still being analysed by the lab and the full results will be published at a later date.

In total, we provided 76 hours of harm reduction at 3 events this summer and received a total of 220 drug samples from the public for analysis to inform drug monitoring to identify what is in circulation.
A total of 8 risk communications were issued this summer. In addition to these, we highlight within our harm reduction that pink powders ‘Tuci’ could contain new drugs such as 2-FMA and that vapes could contain point synthetic cannabinoids.

Results

76 hours of harm reduction provided at 3 events

Non-judgmental point of contact
Information about drugs and their interactions
How to reduce harm and emergencies
Support for people impacted by emergencies
Support on mental health and general wellbeing at the event
Outreach and intervention in campsites
Liaising with medical providers
Discussing trends of concern and warnings
Distribution of water bottles, lip balm, bags and information resources

‘Back of House’ Drug Checking

A total of 220 samples were submitted to the HSE for analytical review:

MDMA: 98
Ketamine:35
Cocaine: 28
Benzocaine:16
3-CMC (Sold as cocaine):2
2-CB:2
2-FMA (sold as pink powder):2
New psychoactive substances (under review):27
Others (under review): 10

Risk communications

Event 1: High strength MDMA, ketamine and cocaine

Event 2: MDMA pills varying in content

Event 3: Multiple high strength MDMA samples and 3-CMC sold as cocaine

Risk communications, your health and harm reduction

Higher strength products mean it could be easier to consume too much too soon, leading to negative effects or a drug emergency
Higher strength drugs could increase the risk if mixed with other drugs
People may not be aware of the strength each time, products that look the same can vary
If you choose to use, consider start ingvery low and go very slow due to extra risks now associated with products
Start with a very small amount – quarter of a pill/ also wait with powders
We have found that new drugs such as 3-CMC could be sold as cocaine, find out about these types of drugs here on our cathinone information page
Vapes and cannabis products could contain synthetic cannabinoids, find out about these drugs on our synthetic cannabinoid page
Tuci’ is a term given to pink powders which can contain a mixture of drugs which include ketamine. This drug isn’t the same as 2-CB. We have found two samples of pink powders to contain both ketamine and the new drug 2FMA.
Get harm reduction for different types of drugs here

For information about this project, contact Nicki.killeen@hse.ie, media queries can be directed to the HSE Press Office at Press@hse.ie