Info

Drug safety

At Boomtown we aim to treat drug usage as more of a welfare issue than a criminal one. 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 drugs at Boomtown and anyone found in possession of drugs, will have them confiscated and you might 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.

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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
‍Please read this information on the areas we have highlighted for this years festival that many people should be fully aware of before experimenting with drugs;

NOS/Balloons

Nitrous Oxide

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.

Ketamine

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.

Mixing substances

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.

Pills

High Strength Ecstacy Pills

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 drugs have come on the market that are incredibly pure, which doesn't mean they are ‘safer’ or good for you... Always pace yourself.

Boomtown

SERVICES ON SITE

Each year we welcome harm reduction partners to work with us in our planning and to offer advice and education around drug usage to our citizens onsite.

partner

The Loop

The Loop will have their drugs education tent on site in Pepperpot Market to offer information and guidance on drugs to our festival goers for free.

partner

TLC

Our dedicated welfare team is here to offer support and welfare services for anyone who feels they may need it. Please pay them a visit if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by anything or just need a bit of TLC.They are based next to the medical centre in Pepperpot Market and by Hilltop Village

partner

Cocaine Anonymous

If you are just looking for someone to talk to about how you are feeling, or would like information about ongoing help, these teams are here to listen.You can find them in Hilltop Village.

BOOMTOWN

DRUGS POLICY

With the support of the local authorities we do not have a ‘Zero Tolerance’ to drugs but instead focus on the ‘Four P’s’ - (Prevent, Protect, Prepare, Pursue)

Prevent

We do everything we can to keep drugs out of the festival through:

Searches at the gates
Passive & proactive drug dogs
Spotters on gates
Festival drug experts
Ejection at the gate if you are caught in possession of illegal drugs
Extensive CCTV coverage across site

For more information on what our security is briefed to do head to our Safety & Security page.

Protect

Provide education and support services to protect those planning on taking drugs

Amnesty Zones at entry gates - for people to legally dispose of drugs without judgement or repercussion
Roaming campsite welfare teams
Fully equipped Medical Centre
The Loop drug awareness tent
Welfare Centres
On-call Mental Health response team

We utilise our back of house drug testing providers to identify harmful substances circulating at the festival and keep those in attendance informed with as much factual information as possible throughout the weekend via our social channels, festival app, on the various operational screens and information points across the festival.