19 June 2008
Reducing the dangers of drugs and making the night-time economy
safer
Club and pub owners and others working in the night-time economy
will be given advice to help reduce drug-related casualties and
drug dealing in premises with the launch of Safer Nightlife on
Friday 20th June.
This best practice guidance builds on the important achievements
of Safer Clubbing (2002) which itself built on the 1996 Dance Till
Dawn Safely document. These two publications proved popular with
licensing officers, club managers, promoters, police officers, Drug
Action Teams, drug outreach workers and others.
The clubbing and night-time environments have changed
considerably during the last six years. There have been significant
changes around the opening hours and licensing of venues,
especially non-club venues, particularly with regards to alcohol
licensing and smoking legislation. In addition there have been
changes to the patterns of the use of recreational drugs.
These changes have highlighted fresh challenges to those
involved and working in the nightlife environment, and there is
therefore a need for new approaches to tackle these challenges.
The updated Safer Nightlife guide addresses these challenges and
contains comprehensive advice and recommendations to reduce the
risks associated with drug use and the nightlife scene. It is aimed
not only at local partnerships, managers, owners and authorities
who will need to determine exactly what works best for their area
and venue, but will also be of interest for anyone working within
the nightlife environment. This includes other club staff, local
authority officers, the police, pre-hospital medical services and
others,
To reduce the likelihood of drug-related deaths occurring, the
guide emphasises the need for venues to consider:
- Providing adequate supplies of drinking water;
- Prevent overcrowding;
- Ensure proper air conditioning and ventilation;
- Take steps to prevent overheating;
- Adequate door searching using appropriately trained and
licensed staff;
- Provision of trained club ‘medic’ staff with appropriate
facilities for the assessment of individuals with recreational drug
toxicity;
- Use of club ‘medic’ guidelines to identify individuals with
severe recreational drug toxicity and
- Ensure the venues comply with health and safety
legislation.
To help managers and owners tackle drug dealing in their
premises, the Safer Nightlife guide recommends:
- Searches should be carried out by a well-trained team of
professional door staff as these can be extremely effective in
preventing drugs getting into premises;
- Staff should regularly patrol all areas of the venue,
especially any corridors or secluded areas, to help people in need
and prevent drug dealing.
- Adequate separation of smoking areas from unsearched
individuals and/or re-searching of individuals on returning to the
club.
Speaking at the launch of the guide, London Drug Policy Forum
Chairman, Maureen Kellett said: “It is regrettable that for many
people drug use, both illegal and legally available, has become
part of their night out. This can lead to tragedy, often involving
a young life. This guidance will help reduce these cases and help
improve the running of venues”.
Commander Simon Bray, Metropolitan Police and ACPO, added: "We
are delighted to have contributed to the Safer Nightlife guide and
welcome the launch of this multi-agency initiative. Tackling drug
misuse is one of the Metropolitan Police Service’s priorities and
this initiative highlights the important role owners and event
organisers can play in reducing the risk of violence and disorder
in clubs across the capital.”
From the health perspective and following on from their research
on the pre-hospital management of individuals with recreational
drug toxicity, Dr David Wood and Dr Paul Dargan, Guy’s and St
Thomas’ Poisons Unit, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust,
said: "Safer Nightlife draws together advice required to minimise
the harm caused by use of recreational drugs. It clearly sets out
the responsibilities of all participants, including clubbers
themselves.
“In particular Safer Nightlife includes guidance on minimum
standards for club medical facilities together with advice on
training of individuals working in these facilities. There is a
user friendly guideline for club ‘medic’ staff to identify
individuals with severe recreational drug toxicity.
“It recognises the importance that environmental factors play in
safeguarding the health of clubbers and also encourages all
agencies and groups to work together.”
Paul Smith, Executive Director of Noctis (the organisation
representing the night-time economy), added: “We are very
pleased to be involved in this important document. It is
extremely heartening to see that all of the various stakeholders
have worked closely together in a spirit of genuine partnership and
collaboration on this project.
“Since the publication of Safer Clubbing (the guide's
predecessor) the night-time economy has grown in its rich
diversity, but similar issues relating to drug misuse remain. Safer
Nightlife provides a sound framework within which the public and
private sectors can work together to reduce the potential for harm
and ensure the UK's world class clubs and bars continue to deliver
a great, safe night out”.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
- The guidance will be launched on Friday 20th June 2008
at 10am at AKA, 18 West Central Street (near Oxford
Street), London WC1A 1JJ. Speaking, and available for interview on
the day, will be Maureen Kellett, Chairman of London Drug Policy
Forum; Commander Simon Bray, Metropolitan Police; Paul Smith,
Noctis; Dr Paul Dargan and Dr David Wood, Guys and St Thomas’
Poisons Unit.
- The London Drug Policy Forum was established in 1991 to promote
best practice and joint working around drug problems. It is
funded by the City of London Corporation. For further details on
the work of the LDPF contact David MacKintosh on 020 7332
3084.
- The Safer Nightlife project has involved the financial support
of the Home Office, Noctis (the voice of the night-time economy),
Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust and the BII (British
Institute of Inn Keeping).
- From 20 June copies of Safer Nightlife will be available from
the LDPF:
ldpf@cityoflondon.gov.uk,
020 7 332 3708 and will be downloadable from
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/ldpf
Press enquiries to City of London Press Office – 020 7332
1754