Drug Safety

In 2021, pills contained around 150MG of MDMA. Now, the average sits at over 180MG. Stronger IS NOT better. It’s more dangerous. ALWAYS start low and go slow and allow your body to feel the effects. A lot of illegal drugs have come on the market that are incredibly pure, which doesn't mean they are ‘safer’ or good for you... Always pace yourself.

Vibe Check is a festival-wide pledge to party smarter and look out for your crew.

From fuelling up and catching Zs to knowing where to find help and spotting danger signs, it’s all about staying switched on, synced up, and making sure everyone gets the most out of the Boomtown experience. 

Stay Crew Conscious 

I pledge to keep my people close, check in often, and never let a mate wander solo into the unknown.

Know the Zones 

I know where to get help, and I’ll use it if I or someone else needs it. No judgment. Just care.

Party Smart

I’ll check, I know the risks of drugs and alcohol before arriving. I’ll spot the signs, stay switched on, and make choices that keep the vibes high and the risks low.

Fuel Up, Don’t Burn Out

I’ll eat real meals, hydrate often, and have spacers, not chasers, to stay charged for the full weekend.

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

I’ll pace myself and take regular breaks. Don’t hurry through the party. The vibes last longer that way.

Pay off Sleep Debt 

I’ll catch up on sleep from any late nights. Whether it’s a power nap, a lie-in, or just a quiet moment. A few Zs keep vibes high and the memories clear.

Recovery Rave 

I pledge to dive into at least one Boomtown set or theatrical mission with a clear head, no buzz, just full presence. The magic hits deeper sober.

Not only does taking Ketamine dissociate you from the festival surroundings, it also has some very serious and very real side effects; 

• Taking Ketamine can be fatal, particularly if it is mixed with other drugs or alcohol • Taken in high dosage can cause seizures 
• Ketamine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. It can make you confused, agitated, delirious and disconnected from reality. 
• Because you don't feel pain properly when you've recently taken Ketamine, you can injure yourself and not know you've done it. 
• Abdominal pain, sometimes called ‘K cramps’, have been reported by people who have taken ketamine for a long time. 
• In the longer term, Ketamine can cause serious bladder problems, with the urgent and frequent need to pee.
•  Evidence of liver damage due to regular, heavy Ketamine use is emerging.

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While it might seem like harmless fun, using or supplying nitrous oxide can actually land you in serious legal trouble. Nitrous Oxide (NOS/Balloons) are now a Class C controlled substance. This means possession with intent to use is a criminal offence. In the UK, it’s illegal to sell or distribute nitrous oxide for recreational use. If caught, you could face fines or even worse, imprisonment. And let's not forget those discarded canisters can cause significant environmental harm. They’re not biodegradable, and they litter our festival grounds, causing damage to wildlife and the environment.

Mixing substances intensifies the effects of any individual drug and makes them more dangerous. The more drugs that are used simultaneously, the greater the risk is. Do not mix substances. Some examples and risks of them are: 

Depressant + Depressant (such as ketamine and alcohol): Combining these can slow down your central nervous system way too much, which can be really dangerous and even lead to death. 

Stimulant + Stimulant (such as ecstasy and cocaine): This combo puts a lot of strain on your heart and can cause insomnia or even drug-induced psychosis. 

Stimulant + Depressant (such as cocaine and alcohol): Mixing these can trick your body into thinking it can handle more, but when one wears off, the effects of the other can hit you all at once. 

Many people don’t think of alcohol as a ‘drug’. Alcohol can however, have a big impact on the way many substances affect you. Some of the time this involves enhancing the effects of the other drug, but with many substances, alcohol can create a dangerous, potentially fatal, chemical reaction.

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Boomtown has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs.

Anyone found in possession of illegal drugs will have them confiscated and should expect to be ejected from the festival, and could face prosecution.

Drugs are illegal, and a police record can seriously affect your future employment, education, or travel. Amnesty points are provided before entry to safely dispose of any prohibited items.

Once past these points, possession could result in eviction. Police and security, including search dogs, will be active at all gates.

Don’t risk it, do not bring illegal drugs into the city.

Here is a Breakdown of our Illegal Drugs Policy:

• Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited.
• Any person found in possession of illegal drugs past the amnesty points, and before reaching the entrance, should expect to be refused entry and evicted from the festival site immediately.
• The possession, use or sale of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at Boomtown, this includes Nitrous Oxide and all New Psychoactive Substances.
• Amnesty points will be located on the approach to the festival gates, at the medical, welfare and information point for any contraband or illegal items to be disposed of.
• Be aware that search dogs will be in operation at the gates at all times.
• Payment systems such as PDQ and EPOS devices are prohibited. Anyone found to have such a device will be evicted from the festival site.
• Police will be operating alongside our security at the festival entry gates.
• Do not risk it. Do not bring drugs into the city.

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We raise awareness of drug safety throughout the year and implement a series of harm reduction measures on site designed to safeguard our citizens. This has long been a priority for us and we are proud to be able to say we have participated and led the way in this safety drive. 

We do not condone any usage of illegal drugs at Boomtown and anyone found in possession of illegal substances,  will have them confiscated and you should expect to be ejected from the festival site and could face prosecution. If you get a police record for drugs it may impact your future employment, education and travel plans.

Drugs can and do kill. 

Please read this information on the areas we have highlighted for this year's festival that many people should be fully aware of before experimenting with illegal drugs.

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