On Friday, some 55,000 will descend on Stradbally for the annual Electric Picnic festival. While there will be a strict no drug policy on site and Gardaí have promised that there will be 'zero tolerance', it's likely that some of those attending will take drugs.
For this reason, and for the safety of those attending, The Ana Liffey Drug Project volunteers will be at the welfare tent and in campsites across the weekend providing free, impartial and confidential advice for those who have taken drugs or who know someone who has.
Tony Duffin, CEO of The Ana Liffey Drug Project spoke to The Last Word with Matt Cooper about the necessity for such a service, and what they expect to encounter over the weekend.
They also gave us some tips for people who may be taking drugs this weekend:
- Do not purchase from a supplier you do not know. Remember – dealers at festivals do not know you and may never see you again.
- Do not use drugs alone. Remember – stay with your friends and do not leave anybody who is intoxicated on their own.
- Start with a tester dose. Remember – nobody can advise you on what is a safe dose of illicit or unknown drugs.
- Take breaks, get enough sleep, eat well and rehydrate. Remember you can take steps to ensure your own physical and mental wellbeing.
- Don’t mix your drugs. Remember – alcohol and illicit or unknown drugs can mix to cause overdose and other adverse effects.
- The pack they’ll be giving away on site also includes advice on how to put people into the recovery position.
- A key piece of advice is that if you or someone you’re with is unwell, be honest with the people at the first aid tent about what you think has been taken.
But the main advice is, avoid taking drugs or drinking to excess at all, and make sure to get home safe.
To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen