Warnings over dangerously high-strength MDMA pills found at Boardmasters
The "Donkey Kong" and "Stone Island" pills have sparked concern in Newquay
Organisers behind Boardmasters Festival were forced to issue warnings over dangerously high-strength MDMA pills this weekend.
Two batches of high-strength pills were tested at the Newquay-based event, prompting the festival to leave posters alerting attendees in the Dockyard area — a stage where DJ sets typically run late into the night, as well as other areas of the site.
The festival, which went ahead over the weekend from Friday, August 12 until Sunday, August 14, also used photos of the dangerous pills.
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“Donkey Kong and red Stone Island pills have been found at the festival. These pills are potentially dangerous and can make you very unwell,” reads the poster.
The pills were said to be discovered after the festival’s amnesty bins - where punters can dispose of drugs before entering to void trouble - were tested for unsafe substances, according to Cornwall Live.
The routine checks found that these two types of pills contained a higher amount of MDMA than usual and could be potentially dangerous.
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“Please do not take them. If you have taken something and feel unwell, go to our medical centre immediately or speak to the nearest steward. They'll look after you and you won't get in trouble."
The warnings come after a string of similar alerts at UK festivals this summer, most recently Secret Garden Party where The Loop tested high-strength ‘teddy bear’ pills.
Last month, a 20-year-old man passed away at Sheffield’s Bassfest after taking what was thought to be ecstasy. Police issued warnings to everyone who had taken MDMA at the festival and implored attendees to visit the medical tent if they felt ill.
Higher strength pills have been circulating in the UK more and more this year. Visit The Loop if you’re concerned about taking drugs.
[Via Cornwall Live]
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter