| answer text |
<p>There is no safe way to take illegal drugs, which devastate lives, ruin families
and damage communities. The Government recognises the potential benefits of ‘back-of-house'
drug checking services in the night time economy, at festivals and similar events.
Back-of-house services are those which test surrendered or confiscated drugs, but
do not offer individuals the opportunity to submit drugs for testing, do not return
any drugs to individuals or give individuals any information on the content of the
drugs following testing.</p><p>Instead, they provide intelligence to law enforcement
and healthcare agencies about the kinds of illicit drugs in circulation and they enable
localised public alerts if toxic or otherwise dangerous drugs are detected so that
anyone at risk can dispose of those drugs in amnesty bins. This type of service does
not encourage drug taking, recognising that all illicit drugs are harmful and that
there is no safe way to take them.</p><p>No recent guidance has been issued to festival
organisers. Organisations wishing to deliver back-of-house services have always been
able to apply for a Home Office controlled drug licence and we continue to encourage
potential applicants to plan ahead to ensure that they apply for a licence in good
time for the festival season next year.</p><p>Guidance on applying for a Home Office
controlled drug licence can be found at the following link: <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fguidance%2Fcontrolled-drugs-domestic-licences&data=05%7C01%7CLiam.Price2%40homeoffice.gov.uk%7Ccf4e875feb264765cf7d08dbecd2f612%7Cf24d93ecb2914192a08af182245945c2%7C0%7C0%7C638364163034296827%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fQgwW6ivJDyzKWRsyYDjH3buvwK8RpkBGkiPAXpZ%2BCA%3D&reserved=0"
target="_blank">Controlled drugs: domestic licences - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p><p>
</p>
|
|
