The Health Service Executive has said it is concerned about use of the drug Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) among young people.
It is being sold legally in vape shops and health officials have warned there are adverse health effects associated with the drug.
“Adolescent services are telling us that about 20% of the people they are seeing are presenting with problems after using HHC,” HSE Clinical Lead for Addiction Services Professor Eamon Keenan said.
Synthesised from cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from low-THC cannabis plants (hemp), HHC is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid to be reported in the EU.
The HSE is monitoring usage levels of HHC and providing information to the department of health so it can look at the legislation around HHC.
It has launched its Safer Nightlife Programme in Dublin with officials highlighting that for the third year in a row harm reduction outreach teams and ‘back of house’ drug checking will take place at four music festivals.
The aim is to reduce drug-related harms and increase understanding of current drug trends.
“Through our ‘back of house’ drug checking, pills, powders, crystals and some other substances can be analysed in real time, in collaboration between the HSE, gardaà and festival organisers with an aim to identify trends of concern to inform the public at events,” said Nicki Killeen, HSE Project Manager Emerging Drug Trends.
Surrender bins will also be available in health-led settings in the Drugs.ie tent and medical tents.
Health officials have reassured festival goers that these tent areas are a safe space to allow anyone to discuss their drug use, get information, and surrender drugs for analysis.
Social media alerts will be issued if a drug trend of concern is identified at festivals.
Last summer, officials issued eight risk communicatuons and provided 76 hours of outreach to support festival attendees. 220 surrendered drugs were analysed including; MDMA pills ranging from 50mg to 246mg (twice the average dose), highlighting significant variability in strength and purity despite similar appearances.
Other alerts were issued around the circulation of high potency, stronger MDMA, ketamine, cocaine and cannabis at festivals.
‘’The drug checking programme allows us to monitor the market to see what drugs are circulating and tailor our harm reduction messages in the broader sense around high potency drugs which are more likely to cause mental, physical and psychological problems,’’ said Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE Clinical Lead, Addiction Services.
Health officials have advised people to not mix drugs or to use alone and if anyone feels unwell to seek urgent medical advice.
“Of course, it is always safer not to use drugs, but we must protect the health and safety of people who may choose to use them, through effective harm reduction initiatives,” said Colm Burke, Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy.
“Initiatives like this are saving lives, and I am committed to supporting the work of teams as they continue their valuable work throughout the summer,” Mr Burke added.
Over the summer, the HSE will be providing ‘back of house’ drug checking at four festivals: Mother Pride Block Party on 28-29 June; District 8 Garden Party on 9 August; Electric Picnic on 16-18 August; and District X on 21 September.