Six out of 10 Dutch youngsters have taken the party drug ecstasy at least once in the past year, according to research by the Trimbos addiction clinic.

The institute questioned 3,000 people aged 20 to 24. Researcher Ferry Goosssens told television show Een Vandaag the use of the drug may be boosted by the rise in the number of large festivals in the Netherlands every year.

Goossens also said it is notable that one in five users took 2.5 pills in an evening, which is exposing them to health risks.