Health authorities across border issue 'joint warning' of high-strength ecstasy to festival goers

MDMA and ketamine are the substances most mentioned by survey respondents, with almost three in four citing “pink powders” as the main emerging drug. Picture:iStock

Health authorities across the island have issued a “joint warning” to festival goers about high-strength ecstasy and new synthetic drugs.

It comes as a survey by a leading dance music magazine found that nine out of 10 respondents said that drug use occurs within their peer group when attending festivals.

The HSE said that 40% of MDMA tested by its laboratory last year contained more than twice the average adult dose for ecstasy, adding that the trend of adding MDMA powder to drinks “carries extra risk” for users.

The HSE and the Public Health Agency Northern Ireland have come together in a harm reduction initiative aimed at the thousands of people attending music festivals this summer and possibly taking illegal drugs.

A recent threat bulletin by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said almost 690 new psychoactive substances (NPS) were reported in 2024, compared to 540 in 2023.

The top two categories are synthetic forms of cannabis and synthetic cathinones, designed in laboratories to mimic the effects of cocaine and ecstasy.

As part of the North-South health agencies initiative, a survey conducted by Four Four magazine found that over a third of its readers plan to attend more than five music festivals over the summer. This includes events on both sides of the border, with festivals running from this weekend until the middle of September.

MDMA and ketamine are the substances most mentioned by survey respondents, with almost three in four citing “pink powders” as the main emerging drug.

Pink powders, often referred to as “pink cocaine” or “pink tusi”, typically contain multiple substances, with the HSE saying they might include ketamine and new drugs, making them “unpredictable”.

Prof Eamon Keenan, the HSE’s national clinical lead for addiction services, said: “This is the first time that both of our health agencies have worked together on an all-island basis around harm reduction responses in the night-time economy.

“With thousands of people from across the island of Ireland expected to travel across the border in both directions to attend festivals this summer, the agencies highlight the increased risk at this time due to high strength MDMA, as well as new drugs that are in circulation such as pink powders.” 

Serious bladder damage

Nicki Killeen, the HSE's emerging drug trends manager, said high-strength drugs are an “increasing concern” across the island of Ireland, Britain, and throughout Europe.

“Over 40% of MDMA (pills, powders, and crystals) analysed by the HSE emerging drug trends lab last year contained over twice the average adult dose (over 200mg),” Ms Killeen said. 

“Adding MDMA powders to drinks carries extra risk, and is a concern for the HSE.” 

She said healthcare professionals have raised concerns around the risk of serious bladder damage linked to long-term use of ketamine.

“If it’s pink, stop and think; pink powders ‘pink cocaine’ rarely contain cocaine and often include a mixture of ketamine and new drugs, making it unpredictable,” she said.

The Four Four survey comprised of 528 respondents, with feedback from every county, with most engagement from Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Kildare.

In relation to new drug trends in nightlife, 73% identified pink powders as the main emerging issue, while 27.5% reported that cathinones (mephedrone, 3MMC), reflecting patterns across the rest of Europe.

Stephanie Hanlon, the joint regional lead for substance use at the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, said: "Festivals and gigs should be memorable for the right reasons, and we want everyone to enjoy themselves and get home safely. 

"It is, of course, safer not to use drugs at all. However, we know that some people may choose to use substances at festivals, and our priority is to help reduce the possible harm.

“You never know for sure what you may be taking, and the danger increases if you mix more than one substance. It’s also easy to forget that alcohol itself is a powerful drug, and mixing any drugs — including mixing with alcohol — can be unpredictable and dangerous. 

"Small decisions like drinking water, not mixing substances, and looking after our friends can make a big difference to staying safe.’’