Schwerin. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will rely on drug checks at major festivals in the future. The five-day Fusion Festival kicks off this week at Lärz airfield in Mecklenburg’s lake district. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a new state regulation for the implementation of model projects for substance analysis was recently approved. The Rostock University Medical Center (UMR) has received permission to carry out such model projects. This also includes mobile drug checking.
The aim is also to increase knowledge about drugs
During the medicine check, medicines brought by consumers are analyzed for components, the circumstances of consumption are clarified and advice is offered. “The need for this arises from the large number of consumer units and their mixtures in circulation, as well as the large number of emergency medical illnesses and addiction courses that result from them”, emphasized Christiane Stehle, medical director at UMR. The head of UMR said that the number of affected people who consume substances without knowing the active ingredients can also be reduced at festivals.
After anonymous collection of basic data, the samples are transported to the mobile or stationary laboratory, chemically analyzed and photodocumented. “At festivals, pill results and photos are publicly displayed. In the case of a significant overdose or dangerous mixture, the organizer will also issue a warning in this case,” said Stehle. This will be followed by an educational discussion about future consumer behavior. All data will be scientifically evaluated at UMR and the results of the analysis will be sent to LKA.
Minister Drese: Drug checking is preventive in nature
State Health Minister Stefanie Drese (SPD) was convinced that the offer was preventive in nature. “These offerings are an effective measure to reduce the harm caused by drug use,” says Drese. The focus is on risk assessment and health education about the consequences of drug use. (di)