Amsterdam Dance Event revelers warned of partying dangers

As the kickoff for the 20th edition of the Amsterdam Dance Event approaches, the City of Amsterdam is asking party-goers to pay particularly close attention to the safe use of narcotics, and the laws regarding drug use in the Netherlands. The information is being distributed in five different languages, and just days after an alert was issued for ecstasy tabs with the ADE logo that carry a dangerously high amount of the substance MDMA. The event will take place from Wednesday October 14 until Sunday October 18. Three participants died during the course of last year’s event, all suspected of drug overdoses. ADE organisers are informing partiers that if they feel ill at any point they should consult on-site medical personal without any risk of prosecution for narcotics. Drug center Jellinek will keep its doors open longer, and will start a pop-up location in the city center so people can anonymously have their drugs tested for purity and contaminants. In many cases this will be completed within a few hours. They will also provide partygoers with information about drug use. Meanwhile, the city is pointing out that “drugs do not belong at parties, but is not banning the use in practice.” This is the policy that is being used to reduce the irresponsible use of party drugs at the event. Organisers will be primarily responsible for the prevention of possession, use and trafficking during the event. In addition to ADE and Jellinek, Amsterdam is working with the Public Prosecutor, the police, Public Health Service, and the Drug Advisory Board on this year’s outreach. In the Netherlands, drug possession is prohibited. Users are asked to check the house rules of venues before consuming drugs, as they can be ejected from venues for breaking the rules. If police are called in, they can confiscate soft drugs, and charge someone criminally if they possess hard drugs. Cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and amphetamines are all considered hard drugs in the Netherlands since 1976, according to outreach group Unity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGcGyBorbcs