Revellers heading to Sydney’s Field Day are being urged to look out for several high-dose MDMA tablets circulating in New South Wales.
Tens of thousands are expected to pour into the Domain in the city’s CBD for the annual dance event on Thursday.
But festival-goers are being urged to practice extra caution after the NSW government’s drug checking service detected high potency tablets at Lost Paradise music festival on the Central Coast earlier in the week.
The pressed pills come in various shapes and colours, with some featuring pop culture references to cartoon characters Hello Kitty and Rick and Morty.
Several high-dose MDMA tablets are circulating within NSW. (Supplied: NSW Health)
One tablet, in the shape of a square marked with the Facebook logo, contains up to 256 milligrams of MDMA.
In previous years NSW Health has warned tablets that contained around 140mg of MDMA were almost double the average dose.
NSW Health warned the drugs could be circulating anywhere in the state and that the amount of MDMA in a tablet could vary significantly within the same batch.
‘What’s important is public safety’
Angela Chiew, a clinical toxicologist at the NSW Poisons Information Centre, told the ABC symptoms of MDMA toxicity could include severe agitation, raised body temperature, seizures and irregular heart rhythm.
A tablet in the shape of a square marked with the Facebook logo contains more than 250mg of MDMA. (Supplied: NSW Health)
“Then in the worst case scenario, unfortunately death,” Dr Chiew said.
To stay safe, she urged users to be aware of the symptoms and to look out for any signs that their friends may be feeling unwell.
“If they’re unwell or worried that their friend is unwell, then it’s really important they call for help…and they’re not going to be in trouble for taking these tablets. What’s important is public safety,” she said.
Field Day will this year offer onsite pill-testing as part of the state’s 12-month drug checking trial.
Under the trial, a small sample of the substance is analysed by health staff to give patrons an idea of its contents and potency.
They are also provided the option to dispose of their drugs in an amnesty bin.
A pill testing demonstration at Beyond The Valley festival in December last year. (ABC News: Natasha Schapova)
Dr Chiew said if people did choose to consume drugs to “start low and go slow”.
She recommended avoiding mixing [MDMA] with other stimulants, such as cocaine or amphetamines, and being wary of the surroundings as dancing in a hot environment, as it can increase the risk of harm.
“It’s really important that you’re aware, look out for your friends and be aware of what’s happening,” she said.
At least 12 music festivals will have participated in the government’s pill-testing trial by the end of February next year.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.abc.net.au ’
