A drugs amnesty at T in the Park has led to a bumper haul of illicit pills and tablets, a new study has revealed.
Police urged revellers at this year’s festival to surrender any drugs at secure bins at arena and campsite entrances.
It followed the shock death of two 17-year-olds, just hours before the main event got under way.
Data released by Police Scotland has shown that more than 1,000 ecstasy pills were recovered during this year’s show.
The tablets were among £30,000 worth of banned substances confiscated by police. Half a kilo of cannabis and nearly 250g of cocaine, diazepam, speed, heroin and horse tranquiliser ketamine were among the drugs recovered.
Only a small number of substances were dropped into amnesty bins, on a no-questions-asked basis. These included 22 ecstasy tablets and 43g of cannabis.
Although this year’s festival successfully addressed major traffic problems that plagued 2015’s event, the Strathallan Castle show was overshadowed by the deaths of three revellers.
Pathologists concluded that each case was almost certainly drug related.
The latest figures are revealed as festival boss Geoff Ellis prepares to meet Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith to discuss this year’s show and moves to eradicate the drugs menace.
The pair will meet this week at the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Smith said: “We cannot allow a situation where the festival gets a reputation for drugs and anti-social behaviour.
“This will only put off people from attending what is a major event in our summer calendar.”
She said: “Those in charge must take steps to crack down on the sale and consumption of illegal drugs.”
Ms Smith added: “I will be meeting with Geoff Ellis from DF Concerts this week and look forward to asking what more can be done to better prevent drugs reaching festival grounds in the future.”
A spokeswoman for festival organisers DF Concerts said: “We have a number of measures in place to stop drugs getting in, including searches and sniffer dogs.
“Through working closely with Police Scotland, anyone found with drugs at T in the Park will be ejected and will face a criminal record. These figures show that working collaboratively has been successful.”