Leeds Festival issue drug safety warnings ahead of bank holiday weekend

Leeds Festival has issued a drug warning regarding MDMA and other illicit substances for its upcoming bank holiday weekend event.

Organisers behind the Bramham Park-based festival have warned attendees of a rise in MDMA-related deaths, and a rise in potent pills being identified across the UK at festivals this summer.

"Ecstasy deaths appear to be rising year on year. There appears to be a link with the amount of MDMA found in tablets more recently,” the website says.

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"In 2005 each pill contained around 80mg of MDMA. Some recent pills have tested upwards of 250mg MDMA. This could be firmly in the fatal overdose range.

"A combination of factors are at play such as body weight, hormone levels, mixing with other drugs including alcohol, underlying health, and so on. There is no safe dose."

The festival also confirmed there would be welfare and first aid tents onsite that attendees should head to if they begin to feel unwell: "You could save your friend’s life. People who are overdosing can go downhill very quickly so don’t delay in seeking help," a statement on Leeds Festival's website reads.

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At the end of the warning, the festival gives out advice to those attending regarding drug use. Leeds reminds consumers that low price does not imply weakness, that purity does not imply safety, and that a dose can be increased but never decreased.

Boardmasters Festival has also issued a warning over dangerously high-strength MDMA pills this weekend.

Recently, new evidence has found that a combination of Brexit, COVID lockdowns, and police crackdowns is leading to a rise in fake and potentially dangerous MDMA being circulated around the UK.

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Higher strength pills have been circulating in the UK more and more this year. Visit The Loop if you’re concerned about taking drugs.

Leeds Festival is due to take place between August 24 and August 26 and acts playing include Dave, Little Simz, Denzel Curry, Megan Thee Stallion and Bad Boy Chiller Crew.

Read the full drugs warning statement from Leeds Festival here.

Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter