UK government accused of putting festivalgoers at risk after drug testing U-turn
The UK government has been accused by several UK festivals of putting attendees at risk after making cuts to the development of drugs-testing sites.
The Guardian reports that the Home Office has made a risky U-turn on plans to add drug-testing facilities to festivals across the UK this summer, meaning that festivals will now need to apply for a license which could take three months to be approved if they wish to implement such safeguarding measures.
Bristol’s Night Time Economy Advisor Carly Heath criticised the government's actions on Twitter yesterday, saying: “At the start of festival season, Home Office asks for all drugs checking to now apply for licence, which takes 3 months, is cost prohibitive & requires perm building (not an on-site tent?) Effectively. The home office just banned life-saving drug checking.”
At the start of festival season, home office asks for all drugs checking to now apply for licence, which takes 3 months, is cost prohibitive & requires perm building (not an on-site tent?)
— Carly Heath (@Carlybag) June 14, 2023
Effectively. The home office just banned life-saving drug checking https://t.co/Xo97Oq64OO
Manchester's Parklife festival was unable to set up its usual drugs testing facility, The Loop, for the first time in nine years last weekend due to licensing issues. This meant that they couldn't send out their normal alerts to festivalgoers warning them of potentially dangerous substances in circulation on site.
Speaking to The Guardian, Festival Republic’s Managing Director Melvin Benn said: “Events at this year’s Parklife are extremely worrying for everyone in the industry, and even more importantly festivalgoers.
“If festival organisers fear their safeguarding measures will be pulled at the 11th hour, then how can we guarantee the wellbeing of our guests?”
This is thought to be the first time that the Home Office has advised a drug testing organisation that it must be granted a Home Office licence to keep testing at festivals.
The Home Office has made a statement, saying: “Anyone interested in undertaking lawful activities involving the possession, supply or production of controlled drugs, including those who wish to provide drug testing services, need to apply for a Home Office licence.”
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