The HSE put separate proposals to An Garda Síochána to run pilot drug testing services at two music festivals this summer, but failed to get the green light for either, the Irish Examiner can reveal. The HSE needed the permission of gardaí to operate a drug testing service because of the legal issues in relation to the possession, handling or disposal of illegal drugs. HSE's head of addiction services, Dr Eamon Keenan, said: “We did submit proposals to gardaí regarding pilot testing at two festivals. In relation to the second festival, on receipt of the proposal from the HSE, An Garda Síochána sought legal advice. The issue of drug testing and amnesty bins are currently being examined by a working group set up under the new National Drugs Strategy.

Source: Irish Examiner October 24, 2019 23:03 UTC