A second high-strength form of MDMA was discovered last night at Electric Picnic through the HSE drug surrender scheme.
An alert was issued on screens around the festival in Stradbally, Co. Laois, warning festival goers of the "pink punisher" pill which contains twice the average adult dose and has been linked with seizures.
The pill contains 241mg of the drug.
On going concern for high strength MDMA in circulation.
Pink punisher linked with people becoming unwell (seizures). Contains 241mg, over 2 times the average adult dose. pic.twitter.com/aphjd0m0A7
— Electric Picnic (@EPfestival) September 2, 2023
It comes after a similar alert on Friday night, which followed the discovery of "purple punisher pill", also containing a double dose of MDMA.
This is the second year the HSE is running their anonymous drug surrender scheme at the festival.
Bins are located around the campsites and at the main stage for people to place drugs for testing.
Through this programme, the HSE has found a number of dangerous drugs at various festivals throughout the summer and has said that the scheme is proving to be successful.
Nikki Killeen from the HSE says they're advising people if they're going to take drugs to start with a low dose and be careful.
"So far this summer we've analysed 130 drugs and what we've seen is there's really high-strength drugs in circulation. So we've issued alerts on high-strength cocaine, high-strength MDMA and high-strength ketamine".
"And what that means is, someone might take what they think is a regular dose or what they might take what they normally take and they could be exposed to something that's much more potent. So they've taken too much too soon, so it could lead to a drug emergency far quicker".
Electric Picnic ends today, with The Killers closing out the festival on the main stage.
