TERMINAL V DRUGS & HARM REDUCTION POLICY
In 2022, with the support of several industry groups such as Festival Safe, the NTIA, AIF and expert organisations such as The Loop; Terminal V is expanding the breadth of its current Drugs Policy.
In Scotland, the stance agreed with Police Scotland and local authorities is that of ‘Zero Tolerance’. This remains the principal policy at the heart of our events and is focussed on addressing the ‘criminal’ aspect of drug supply, drug possession and recreational drug use that is unavoidable in today’s society, and that is unavoidably visited upon events across the country.
However, we recognise that this policy does not accurately describe or promote our simultaneous approach to ‘harm reduction ’, nor does it provide for the facilities that we have in place to protect our audience from harms associated with recreational drug use at events. Drug use in our society, our institutions and at events is not just a criminal issue; it is a welfare issue, a health issue, and an education issue.
It is essential in delivering our responsibility for public safety at our events that we respond not only to the criminal aspects of this activity but also do our utmost to prioritise harm reduction at every step. We are proud of the extensive work done by our multi-agency partnership in producing a robust approach to a complex societal issue, in order to protect and preserve events that have a significant bearing on the social and cultural quality of life of our audiences.
Beyond our Zero Tolerance approach, our actions will be carried out within the framework of the ‘Four Ps’ - Prevent, Pursue, Prepare and Protect. This approach is becoming a festival industry-wide approach to harm reduction, and allows our communication to be more authentic, informative, and proactive.
PREVENT
TAKE ALL STEPS TO KEEP DRUGS OUT OF OUR EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
• Clear communication at all stages of audience engagement of our Zero Tolerance policy
• Work with partner agencies to design all measures to PREVENT presence of drugs at the event
• Proactive use of drug detection dogs to sweep the venue prior to the event
• Security ‘spotters’ on gates to enhance observation
• CCTV coverage of the gates and perimeter fences
• Clear signage & promotion of our Zero Tolerance policy. And search process
• Amnesty Zones at entry gates - for people to legally dispose of drugs without danger of conviction.
• Full person/possessions search on entry
• Proactive use of drug detection dogs (DDDs) on entry
• Enhanced search process for those indicated by DDDs
• On site Police Scotland investigation facility
• Referral to Police Scotland and ejection from the event if found in individuals’ possession
PURSUE
PROCESSES TO DETER ILLEGAL DRUG SUPPLY AND THE OPEN USE OF DRUGS
• Work in partnership with Police Scotland to identify persons of interest at the event
• Enhanced search facilities on entry to identify drugs and intent to supply
• Police Scotland resources on site to identify substances and charge offenders
• Uniformed and plain clothed surveillance officers on site to monitor suspected drug dealing, and drug use on site
• All offenders referred to Police Scotland and ejected from the event
• All offenders’ details registered, tickets cancelled and flagged on future attempts to purchase tickets to the event
PREPARE
RESPOND TO THE WELFARE ISSUES RELATED TO DRUG USE
• Devise robust Medical, Welfare and Wellbeing plan
• Work in partnership with local hospitals to develop plans and resilience
• Work with other event promoters to drive industry standards in welfare provision
• Provide comprehensive wellbeing & safety information on website, festival app & pre-event essentials guide
• Provide staff training in how to spot and support vulnerable attendees
• Seek intelligence from Police Scotland regarding high-risk substances in circulation
• Public sharing of factual information and campaigns via our social channels, festival app, essentials guide and on various operational screens and information points across the festival
PROTECT
PROVIDE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROTECT THOSE PLANNING ON TAKING DRUGS
• Fully equipped, consultant led on-site Medical Centre
• On site ambulances and paramedic teams
• Welfare centres offering privacy, respite, and support
• Roaming first aid & welfare teams to identify vulnerable / at risk attendees
• Mental health response teams to provide appropriate care
FURTHER INITIATIVES
HARM REDUCTION CAMPAIGNS, RESEARCH AND INTIATIVES WE SUPPORT
Knowledge-Based Empowerment
We believe in empowering our audiences to make good choices. This relies upon directing customers to resources and advice about the dangers of drug use, and the changing landscape of substances sold on the street. Topics such as;
• The severe dangers of drug misuse (including prescription drugs)
• Increasing strength of drugs (especially the likes of ecstasy/MDMA)
• The effects of poly-drug use
• The effects of ‘mixing’ alcohol and drugs
We will continue to expand upon the information contained on all our public facing platforms and engage experienced professionals to help us grow this aspect of our policy.
Crew 2000 / The Loop
We will continue to work with organisations such as Crew 2000 and The Loop to provide onsite information, counselling, and guidance on drugs to our festival goers for free. This is a non-judgemental, educational service, and all conversations are strictly anonymised. We would look to have an onsite amnesty bin, managed by this team based on feedback that customers regularly choose to forfeit drugs after approaching these teams.
Back of House Drug Testing
We will continue exploring the opportunity to work with The Loop to establish a BOH Drug Testing facility, providing real time surveillance of any drugs confiscations at the event, and deposit in our amnesty bins. This service is managed by qualified chemists, scientists, and experienced medical teams. This information can be utilised by Police Scotland, shared with the European Drug Monitoring Networks, and also help us provide warning notifications/messages on site about substances of severe strength or concerning content.
Public Drug Testing
We will continue to support the Loops work to the trial and implementation of free Public Drug Testing in UK cities, currently taking place in Bristol City Centre. With an ever-increasing body of evidence to show the positive outcomes of this type of intervention, we are committed to working with organisations such as The Loop, the Home Office, and Police Scotland to explore how this service could reduce the harmful effects of drug use in our cities, and protect audiences at festivals and events.
NTIA
We work closely with the NTIA, and support their campaigns around Safer Spaces, Drink Spiking, and grassroots music culture. Their work in promoting the health and wellbeing of audiences, as well as staff and artists is critical to the longevity and vitality of the night-time economy.
INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Visit Drink Aware https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/
Visit Festival Safe https://www.festivalsafe.com
Visit NTIA https://www.ntia.co.uk/ntia-scotland/
Visit Police Scotland https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/drugs/
Visit Scottish Government https://www.gov.scot/policies/alcohol-and-drugs/
Visit TLC Welfare http://tlcwelfare.co.uk
Visit Amvale https://www.amvalescotland.com
Visit Crew 2000 https://www.crew.scot
Visit The Loop https://wearetheloop.org