Irish DJ warns of people collapsing in front of her booth after taking 'pink stuff'

Dr Dave Weir, Consultant Psychiatrist, HSE Addiction Services, and DJ Shauna Dee in the Cornmarket Building today, as the HSE shares results from powders and crystals analysed in the HSE’s Emerging Drug Trend Laboratory Photographer: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

A Dublin DJ has warned people to be careful about what drugs they take this bank holiday weekend, describing seeing people collapse in front of her after taking ‘pink stuff’ on the dancefloor.

Shauna Dee, a DJ and youth worker, described performing at a gig at Dublin’s 3Arena recently and noticing several young people become distressed on the dancefloor in front of her.

Ms Dee was speaking at a HSE event in Dublin raising awareness and wariness of new powders – described as ‘pink powder’ - which have hit the nightlife scene in recent months – the contents of which can not be predicted.

“I just know it’s being sold in nightclubs a lot, and many times I’ve seen medics called when I’m backstage, and it’s ketamine or the pink stuff,” Ms Dee said.

She said that the age group of those first experimenting with such drugs is “a lot younger now... it’s 18, 19, 20 year olds”. “That’s the kind of age group that are taking that amount, and ending up in that situation.”

In line with the HSE’s mantra from the awareness session, for those partaking to “start low, go slow”, Ms Dee said she supports the “harm reduction approach”.

“Drugs have been in the nightlife scene forever, but the drug trends have changed and you see a lot more pink stuff,” she said. “That’s what it’s known as in the nightlife scene, and the potency is just getting greater. When I’m in the booth I can see the effects it’s having on people.

“The message is to stick with your friends, with all these medics on site and in the nightclubs, if you have any concerns or anything always try and seek help,” she said.

Consultant psychiatrist with the HSE Dr David Weir said that “for those people who do choose to use it’s very important that they take on some key messages” including to educate themselves and know that there are increased risks in the market currently and to partake slowly.

He added that people should stay hydrated, and drink a pint of water every hour.