Hackney festival attendees are calling for greater safety measures and drug testing services at events in the lead up to festival season.
A study from the University of Liverpool has found that between the years of 2017-23, there were a potential 32 drug related deaths (DRDs) at festivals, with 18 being confirmed.
Young people say they want to destigmatise drug testing and make it more accessible for those attending festivals in the future.
Isabella Burtford, 25, from Hackney, is attending Queen’s Yard Summer Party next week, which is one of the first day parties kicking off festival season in north east London.
She said: “I can only see benefits of drug testing, it creates a safe space and would really make people think twice before taking drugs.”
Based on figures from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Great Britain has the highest level of deaths relating to drugs on record, with an average of five or six DRDs happening at UK festivals each year.
Bigger festivals often use ‘back-room’ drugs testing, but this often relies on charities like The Loop providing these facilities.
The work of organisations like The Loop, a charity providing drug testing at festivals since 2014, is thought to have added value to safety and allows for positive dialogue with medical professionals.
It also means festival organisers can alert attendees of notably dangerous drugs circulating the event, for example ecstasy pills that are cut with other harmful substances, allowing people to make more informed decisions before taking them.
In the height of festival season last summer, the government told The Loop that it needed to apply for a controlled drugs licence to continue its work, meaning it could not operate any longer due to the licence application process.
Professor Fiona Measham, founder of The Loop, told MPs last summer: “I would appreciate having greater clarity about the legislative and policy framework that we operate in because legal opinions differ.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan addressed this issue and has set up the London Drugs Forum to develop a response to drug-related harms.
He told the London Assembly on July 20: “It is clear that the government needs to provide clarity on the legal and policy position and drugs testing at festivals, so festival organisers can ensure they have robust strategies in place to keep festivalgoers safe.”
Leon Helton, 26, also attending Queen’s Yard summer party said: “There needs to be government funding to make drugs testing available for all festivals, regardless of the size. People are going to take drugs at a festival.
“Providing free testing and granting anonymity for people for bringing in drugs, creates an environment where they can be tested safely and allow the individual to know what is in them and give them up at their own discretion.”
Helton also explained that in the absence of drug testing, looking out for your friends, avoiding buying suspicious substances from strangers and being sensible with your intake are all things you can do to keep yourself safe at festivals this summer.
Queen’s Yard summer party did not respond to NE Londoner‘s request for comment.
For more information about drugs, visit: talktofrank.com.
Join the discussion