Parklike founder, Sacha Lord, has formally threatened legal action against the government over changes to drug-checking requirements at festivals.
Parklife and The Warehouse Project founder, Sacha Lord, has written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman urging her to allow on-site testing in “pop-up labs” to go ahead.
For the past 10 years, this has been commonplace at festivals. However, in June, the government told Mr Lord that a license would be required. Their position is a license was always required.
The letter, which can be read in full online, says the Home Office was “well aware” of these arrangements and former ministers have publicly said the department wouldn’t intervene.
Mr Lord can rely on plenty of support as these warnings help save lives and also give medical teams a better idea of how to treat anyone who becomes seriously ill after taking drugs. If there are dangerous ingredients, notifications can be distributed and support teams can be better prepared.
Drug-checking at festivals is the process of testing illegal substances for dangerous substances. Festivals like Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds use private companies to do this whereas independent festivals most commonly work with The Loop, a charity run by professional volunteers.
The Loop has always operated on agreements with local police and councils, without a license. However, the government is now looking to change that.
The letter, co-signed by trade body the Night Time Industries Association, demands the government continue to allow testing without a licence. Alternatively, the government must provide more time for festivals to accommodate the license requirement.
If you want to show your support, you can email your local MP and the Night Time Industries Association has provided a landing page to help you do so.
All you need to do is enter your postcode and a suggested draft email will come up to send to your MP. You can send the draft as presented but amendments are welcomed if there are further issues you can suggest with this issue at hand.
Find the Night Time Association on Instagram.