Gardaí have issued a warning to those attending Electric Picnic this weekend about the danger of drugs following concern over the rise of synthetic drugs in Ireland.
"Drugs are illegal, and they are illegal for a reason. That reason is because they can cause death and serious harm" said Superintendent Eamonn Curley from Portlaoise Garda Station.
Around 75,000 people will travel to Stradbally for Ireland's biggest music and arts festival.
Superintendent Curley said that gardaí have been working with the Health Service Executive over the last couple of years to understand drug trends, including new opioids and stimulants.
"We’re working with them to identify drug trends or dangerous drugs or harmful drugs which may become apparent over the course of the weekend," he said.
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He said, however, that having the harm reduction team onsite "does not make drugs legal".
"If you are found with drugs you will face prosecution, and we have a dedicated drugs detection team on site working both overtly and covertly to detect the sale, supply and use of controlled drugs," he added.
Festival goers are being asked to surrender drugs to help detect what has been described as high risk drugs.
The HSE said it is concerned over drug market changes and higher risks for people using drugs.
It said that drug monitoring services at Electric Picnic can help detect extra "risky drugs" for public alerts.
Those attending the festival can surrender drugs for "back of house" on-site drug checking.
The HSE’s drug teams can be found in the Main Arena and in the Jimi Hendrix Campsite over the weekend. Teams will be visible in purple and pink high vis vests.
Trained volunteers will operate two Drugs.ie tents in the Main Arena and the Hendrix campsite from 11am to 9pm tomorrow through to Sunday.
A further two surrender bins will be located at onsite medical spaces where people can deposit drugs for analysis.
Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy Colm Burke said: "While it is always safer not to use drugs, it is important from a public health perspective that we reduce the risks for those who chose to do so. We know that ongoing changes in the drug market present additional risks.
"I encourage anyone who is considering using drugs at Electric Picnic and other festivals to engage with the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme and the volunteers who are there to provide assistance. I strongly believe that we need to deal with drug use as a public health issue and give my full support to this targeted harm reduction initiative, which is now in its third year," he added.
HSE Emerging Drug Trends Project Manager Nicki Killeen said the tents "are safe spaces to surrender drugs" and will not be monitored by gardaí.
"The current drug market is more dangerous than ever before," she added.
"MDMA pills, powders and crystals are more potent, making it easier to take too much without knowing, which can lead to drug emergencies. We are aware of a number of MDMA deaths occurring each year and we expect this number may increase."
HSE National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services Prof Eamon Keenan said: "Our core message is that it is safer not to use drugs at all.
"There is always personal risk for people who do use drugs, we would urge festival-goers to come talk to our teams onsite at this year's Electric Picnic if they are contemplating the use of drugs. This helps ensure they can be fully informed on the risks involved and harm reduction measures," he added.
Superintendent Curley said gardaí will be working across the weekend to make people safe.
"We’re here to help," he said.
Gardaí issue traffic and travel advice
Separately, gardaí are urging festival-goers to use public transport to get to Stradbally to help keep travel disruption and diversions to a minimum.
A shuttle bus service will operate from Portlaoise Train Station directly to the site's only Pick-up drop-off area located just off the N80 on the Portlaoise side of Stradbally.
Are you one of the 75,000 festival-goers due to flock to Stradbally, Co. Laois later this week for this year's @EPfestival?
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