Introduction

The problem of drug misuse is a problem for society in general. BEDA members accept that this problem can be associated with late night venues. Our members are therefore keen to work with the police and local authorities to tackle this problem, ensure our venues remain free of dealing and minimise both the amount of drugs being smuggled in to venues and the subsequent possibility of harm to our customers.

BEDA has both led and supported initiatives from central and local government to tackle the problems of drug misuse, for example; 'Tackling Drugs Together to Build a Better Britain'; 'Safer Clubbing'; the Kirklees' ; 'Boiling Point Preventer'; and the drug education work led by Chesterfield Borough Council. BEDA has also developed joint guidance on the Public Entertainment Licences (Drug Misuse) Act with the Local Government Association and Association of Chief Police Officers while the BEDA ‘Stay Drug Free' campaign has run for some ten years now.

Background

For many years, efforts to tackle the problem of drug misuse were hampered by a culture of mistrust between our industry and its regulators, which meant information was not shared and joint working arrangements stalled. Relationships probably reached their lowest ebb in 1997 with the introduction of the Public Entertainments Licences (Drug Misuse) Act. This draconian legislation made it possible for local authorities to close venues instantly, with no trading on appeal, where to do so would remove a serious drug problem. The term ‘serious drug problem' was never defined.

BEDA took the introduction of this Act as a spur to develop a partnership approach to drug policy engaging central and local government and the police in a joint venture to reduce the number of drug related incidents in late night venues. Our work covered customer education, staff training, registration schemes for door supervisors and use of CCTV, drug detection methods and other security measures to drive dealers out of our premises.

Safer Clubbing

This partnership approach was endorsed by the Home Office and forms the basis of their guidance document ';Safer Clubbing'; launched on 2001. BEDA contributed to this guide and both spoke at and hosted its launch.

';Safer Clubbing'; seeks to provide operators, local authorities and the police with guidance on the practical and achievable steps they can take to improve safety for all clubbers and reduce the harm associated with drug use and clubbing. It has five key elements:

• Creating a safe physical environment - managing crowd numbers, provision of air conditioning, ventilation and drinking water, further steps to combat overheating and monitoring and enforcement.
  
  
• Tackling drug dealing - legislative options, developing an effective search policy, the role of the door team, the need for training, use of CCTV and the need to share information.
  
  
• Reducing the harm from drug use - information provision, outreach services, dealing with drug induced problems and getting home safely.
  
  
• Developing a drug policy - the purpose of a drug policy, key elements and the structure of a drugs policy.
  
  
• Professional fact sheets - providing clear guidance for licensing officers, police officers, club owners, managers and promoters, drug action teams and drug agencies.
  
  

The modern day venue manager recognises the need to operate in a socially responsible manner. That means embracing the philosophy behind ‘Safer Clubbing', working with regulators and sharing information and best practice.

Conclusion

How best to tackle the problem of drug misuse both in society in general and in licensed premises in particular will always be the subject of much debate. Policy can often swing between draconian sanctions and liberalisation and partnership. The current Home Office policy, as set out in ';Safer Clubbing'; appears to strike the right balance - equipping responsible operators with the skills, knowledge and support to keep their venues free of drug related incidents while retaining sanctions to tackle problem venues.