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Ecstasy, MDMA and cocaine among surrendered drugs at Electric Picnic

Ecstasy, MDMA and cocaine among surrendered drugs at Electric Picnic
Electric Picnic festival, © PA Archive/PA Images

A total of 46 drug samples were handed anonymously into HSE 'surrender bins' at Electric Picnic.

Of the total, eleven were Ecstasy pills, 8 items were MDMA powder, 6 were cocaine powder with 5 containing ketamine powder among others.

This pilot programme took place in early September, the warning labels are particularly memorable.

Three warnings were issued in total, and the HSE says they absolutely took off in terms of impressions on social media.

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Two related to MDMA pills and powders, the purple skull shaped pills for example were identified as having twice the average adult dose.

The third warning with orange alert banners was issued on the Sunday and related to a substance called 3 CMC in white crystals.

This potent stimulant is sometimes sold as MDMA in Britain but side effects included prolonged stimulation, suicidal feelings, insomnia, psychosis, negative come downs and even cravings which are a concern with potential overdosing.

39 substances were analysed locally, the rest were checked at the National Drug Treatment Lab afterwards.

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Of the total 42 were identified and analysed however the contents of four samples left in the so-called surrender bins are still unconfirmed.

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