HSE fears extra-potent drugs entering growing Irish market ahead of Christmas

Synthetic drugs such as MDMA are also increasingly manufactured in Europe, particularly in eastern Europe, the HSE has warned. Picture: Joe Bird / Alamy Stock

Extra-potent illegal drugs are being produced in European labs to capture more of the growing drug market as use escalates in Ireland and across the continent.

The HSE is warning of extremely potent MDMA, of other synthetic substances being falsely sold as ketamine,  and of synthetic cannabinoid vape liquid linked to anxiety and psychosis in circulation ahead of an expected spike in drug use over Christmas.