PHA would be 'open to considering' drug testing at concerts

Dr McClean says illegal drugs always carry a risk

The Public Health Agency (PHA) "would be open to considering" drug testing at concerts and festivals, a director at the organisation has said.

It comes after police issued a warning about upcoming music events and said they were committed to "tackling the illegal supply and use of illicit drugs".

They are investigating the deaths of two young people following the Emerge dance festival in Belfast last weekend, but have not commented on whether their investigations involve a drugs link.

The PHA's Director of Public Health, Dr Joanne McClean, said that there was "nothing from the information we're getting to suggest that there is a particularly harmful or potent or bad batch of drugs circulating".

PSNI Supt Allister Hagan said he knew the public "want answers" but that due process must be respected.

"The Coroner will confirm cause of death once toxicology results are available.

"Until then it would be wrong to speculate," he added.

At the Electric Picnic festival in the Republic of Ireland this weekend, the Health Service Executive said teams would offer free and confidential back-of-house drug checking for analysis.

Drug testing is carried out at festivals and concerts in other parts of the UK and Ireland

Charities in England offer a similar service at events and gigs.

However Dr McClean said drug testing is not something the organisation could carry out by themselves as there would be a number of legal issues to resolve.

"There are legislative elements to this, there are licencing elements and there are resourcing issues as well," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.

Drugs 'carry a risk'

She added: "The police in their statement about the event have reminded people that being caught in possession of drugs is a crime and they will prosecute it."

Dr McClean did not comment on specific drugs deaths, but said "in general terms" if the police or other organisations are "aware of a substance or something that has caused the death or harm to people that could impact other people, we would expect that they would make the Public Health Agency aware of it and other partners".

"From a public health point of view, from my point of view, from the Agency's point of view we would much prefer that people didn't take illegal drugs, didn't take substances they didn't know what they are, it carries a risk," Dr McClean added.

Supt Hagan said practical steps will be taken at events and festivals to "reduce harm".

"I also want to send a clear message to those who supply drugs or bring substances into festivals: you are putting lives at risk and you will be targeted," he added.

There will be back-of-house drug testing at Electric Picnic this weekend

The Loop is a drug checking charity which offers drug testing services at festivals in other parts of the UK.

The charity's founder Professor Fiona Meashem said: "I think very quickly people became very trusting of The Loop, which was great to see.

"We were clear that we're not working directly to either the police or public health, or to the festival.

"But we're there to reduce harm on site."

She said there is a lab on site with chemists "who will rapidly test what's in circulation" and "get that information out".

"But also importantly, we have healthcare professionals on site, doctors and nurses, and they're the ones who can translate the chemistry, if you like, directly to the general public and to be putting out messages which are accurate and true," Prof Meashem added.

What happened after Emerge?

A police investigation is under way into the deaths of two young people who had attended the Emerge dance music festival in Belfast at the weekend.

Mia Keevan, 17, from County Tipperary became unwell at the event and died shortly afterwards in hospital.

In a separate incident, 24-year-old Trae Keenan, from County Down, became unwell at rented accommodation in the city centre a few hours after the event ended.

He died later in hospital.

Mia was visiting Belfast from Carrick-on-Suir to attend the event.

Investigations are still continuing into what caused her death.

Belfast district commander Supt Allister Hagan said: "During the event it was reported that a 17-year-old girl had become unwell. Sadly, she subsequently died in hospital."

The Irish News reported Mr Keenan, worked as a chef and had a four-month-old son, had previously suffered from heart complications and asthma.

The family told the newspaper he had suffered a panic attack and his death was not linked to drugs.

Police are still investigating both deaths and said a number of arrests were made over the weekend.

What have politicians said?

Some Belfast councillors have expressed frustration at what have they said was a lack of information from the PHA following the deaths at the weekend.

Belfast City Council officers met the organisers of Emerge and other key stakeholders on Wednesday for a "de-brief".

On Thursday Alliance Party councillor, Micky Murray, told BBC News NI it was "incredibly disappointing" that the PHA had not made themselves available to discuss recent events.

Murray said this had allowed speculation over the deaths of the two young people and for the "narrative to be controlled by social media".

He said health and safety is important, especially as other large festivals and events take place across Belfast.

Green Party councillor Brian Smyth echoed Murray's views and said the lack of communication from the PHA has "fuelled online speculation and created a vacuum" on how safe events are and what is being done to keep people safe.

"This comes in light of information released by the Electric Picnic festival in the Republic for people to be aware of high potency MDMA that is in circulation," Smyth added.

What has Emerge said?

In a statement organisers said they were "saddened by the death of Mia Keevan and offer our sincerest condolences to her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time".

"We are fully engaging with all the relevant stakeholders and statutory bodies, providing as much information and assistance as required.

"The safety and wellbeing of everyone attending our events remains our highest priority.

"We will not be making any further comment while the police investigation remains ongoing."

Emerge music festival is the biggest dance music event in Northern Ireland.

It usually takes place over the August bank holiday weekend at Boucher Playing Fields in south Belfast and attracts crowds of about 40,000 dance music fans each day.

This year the festival was headlined by Fatboy Slim on Saturday and Bicep on Sunday, while Sammy Virji, Fjaak, Sonny Fodera and Danny Howard were also on the line up.