Of all the trends, as the festival season cranks up a notch, one in particular has got health experts and partygoers taking a little more thought to it. Dive into a world of festival drug testing to find out why this summer’s MDMA might just pack a little more punch than you bargained for.
The Alarming Rise of Super-Strength MDMA
Imagine this: You are at your favourite music festival and the sun is beating as are the beats. There’s, however, an invisible danger lurking amongst the crowd— possibly deadly super-strength MDMA pills. A charity, The Loop—based in Bristol—carried out testing at Manchester’s recent Parklife festival and sounded the alarm over the alarming increase in the average strength of MDMA pills since last year. The pills were literally potent enough to be “double dosed” with the substance, which, if you think about it, looks more than Yikes!
Breaking Down the Numbers
Let’s get down to the numbers. Last year, the average strength of tested pills hovered around 140mg. Fast forward to this summer—we’re now seeing a frightening average of 180mg. But here’s the kicker—one in ten pills tested tipped the scales at over 250mg. That’s not just a little bump; it’s a potential overdose waiting to happen.
The Perfect Storm
High Temps, High Doses Now, add in the sweltering summer to that already intertwined mix, and you have a recipe for catastrophe. Katy Porter, CEO of The Loop, said that drugs already raise your body temperature on their own. Now add in some dancing, dehydration, soaring temperatures, and you are really pushing your luck with health.
Not All Pills Are Created Equal
The thing is, even if two pills look identical, they could be worlds apart in strength. You are playing a game of Russian roulette with your brain chemistry. Especially in danger is the younger, less experienced user. They may think one pill equals one dose; with these super-strength tablets, this estimation could just be fatal.
How Festival Drug Testing Work
So how do we fight this invisible enemy? Enter festival drug testing. It’s part of something called harm reduction. Here’s the deal:
Organisers and police do their best to keep drugs out (spoiler alert: it’s virtually impossible to catch them all). On-site testing happens “back-of-house” with confiscated drugs or stuff people drop into amnesty bins. If the testers catch something dodgy, they warn festival goers. Some festivals offer “front-of-house” testing, where people can have their drugs checked for safety. It’s controversial, but studies suggest it can save lives.
The Festival Season 2024: New Dawn?
A row between organizers and the government over licenses meant many UK festivals last year didn’t have drug testing. But, thankfully, for revellers, the Home Office has approved licenses for the 2024 season under tight conditions.
Stay Safe and Party On
Remember, The Loop isn’t condoning drug use. They’re just trying to arm you with information so you can make smarter choices. If you do decide to partake, keep these tips in mind:
- Start low and go slow
- Stay hydrated (but don’t overdo it)
- Look out for your mates
- If something feels off, seek help immediately
While the best choice at the end of the day always is not to do it, if you do choose to do drugs, then at least know what you’re getting into. After all the only thing that should be mind-blowing at a festival is the music!
Photo: “High-Potency MDMA” by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
