DRUGS POLICY
Leeds Festival does not condone the use of, or the dealing in, illegal drugs on site.
PREVENTION
The message, to actively discourage dealers and users, has been published in the following ways:
a) Leeds Festival website – www.leeds.festival.co.uk
b) There will be signage at the entrances
“The dealing in or use of illegal drugs is not condoned by Leeds Festival. It is illegal to take, to buy or to sell drugs. Drug enforcement laws are as applicable on site as anywhere else in the country. If you deal in drugs, it is likely that you will be arrested via security and handed over to West Yorkshire Police. There are covert police onsite who will take action as appropriate. Neither anti-social nor illegal behaviour will be tolerated and participants will leave themselves liable for eviction from the site.
Experimenting with drugs can lead to adverse reactions. Drugs can kill. The crowds and the sheer size of the Festival can be very frightening and disorientating and taking drugs could spoil your enjoyment of the event. If you do take drugs and you become ill, depressed or frightened please ask a steward to direct you to one of the many facilities on site which can help and support you”.
In addition, the terms and conditions of entry printed on the back of every ticket state “You may be body searched at the entrance. Persons suspected of carrying items which may be used in an offensive or dangerous manner, or carrying out illegal activities within the arena or other parts of the site may be searched”.
DRUG DEALERS AND USERS• Leeds Festival security will take an active role monitoring for drug dealing and will work in full co-operation with West Yorkshire Police.
• Leeds Festival security will conduct random searches for drugs.
• Leeds Festival security will work as an intelligence gathering agency in partnership with the West Yorkshire Police.
• When there is a strong suspicion of drug dealing, security will inform and assist West Yorkshire Police in every way possible
• Leeds Festival will evict persons strongly suspected of drug dealing and wherever possible will channel these evictions via West Yorkshire Police.
• Leeds Festival will evict persons who are arrested, charged and bailed by West Yorkshire Police.
WELFARE AND TREATMENT• Many of the Leeds Festival security and some of Leeds Festival stewards are trained in Emergency First Aid and are fully informed about the welfare and drugs advisory facilities. They can direct individuals to the following services, all of which work closely to provided a comprehensive and integrated service throughout the festival.
*Welfare - which is the main centre for practical welfare support. Drug service provision, with a focus on harm minimisation, is an integral part of Welfare and includes a needle exchange facility. The service is staffed by experienced and qualified drug workers who are also fully abreast of developments in the drugs field. Up-to-date information about drugs, drug trends and drug service provision underpins the work of Welfare. A key element of drug service provision in Welfare is in preventative work, guidance and information about drugs, including alcohol is given as appropriate.
*The Samaritans - offer 24 hour emotional support to anyone in crisis.
*There will be first aiders on site.