Irish government considering drug testing kits for nightclubs and festivals

The government could be set to sanction drug testing kits in places like nightclubs and festivals.

The measure is being considered so people can check if the drugs they are about to take contain lethal substances.

It comes after the death of a teenager in Cork last week.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has said the proposal is being looked at. However, he is adamant that preventing people from taking drugs in the first place is key to their plans.

“No matter how much you warn people about the risks of taking illegal drugs or buying drugs over the internet, some people still will,” said Varadkar.

“That's why the second pillar, harm reduction is also very important. One of the things under consideration is things like drug kits, for example, so that people can actually test what they're going to take before they take it.

“But that's not to suggest for a second that anyone's advocating that that's a better approach than prevention.”

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